Drifter – Part 8

By D

Chapter XV

Donoma felt herself finally settle as her breathing evened out and she shut out all the extraneous noise around her. She lost all sense of time as she waited for her vision to clear, hoping beyond hope that the Great Spirit would allow her to finish her vision quest. A touch on her head caused Donoma to slowly open her eyes, only to find Rachel's compassionate blue eyes staring back at her.

"Rae'l?" she asked in surprised recognition. "What are you doing here?"

Rachel shifted a little closer, then sat down cross-legged and reached for Donoma's hand. "The Great Spirit sent me to check on you, Donoma Chepi. There has been a great deal of turmoil surrounding you lately and we are concerned."

Donoma pulled her hand from Rachel's grasp and clasped hers tightly together in her lap. Her eyes shuttered, leaving Rachel only the barest glimpse of the child she had known in the beautiful, stubborn young woman now sitting in front of her.

"There is no need for you to be concerned, Rae'l. Everything is all right."

"Is it really, ka'eskone? I sense much anger and confusion in you."

"I have been angry for a long time, Rae'l. It is nothing to concern yourself with," Donoma reiterated.

"I think it is, Donoma," came Rachel's mild rejoinder. "It is time you let go of the anger you have held in your heart for my nahtona and focused instead on all the good you shared together before she...."

"Before she left me? Before she walked out of my life and the lives of the People without a word of explanation or even a goodbye??" Green eyes glowed in their ire. "I do not think you understand what you are asking of me, Rae’l. I took care of her... healed her in spite of my anger and everything... only to discover that her return was nothing more than a mistake. And she is completely unwilling to talk to me and tell me her reasons for doing so. You are asking me to be a bigger person than I am, Rae’l."

"I do not think so, ka'eskone. I think you want someone to give you permission to release the anger that has held you captive for so long. I am doing that – I am telling you it is time to give up the anger and darkness in your heart. Koko only did what she thought was best...."

"What *she* thought!!!" Donoma flared. "She did not bother to speak to me – not to talk about her decision or to ask my advice. In everything else we were always open and honest, but in this... it made me feel as though she had lied to me all those years – that I was simply a child to be humored and not the advisor she claimed that I was." Her fury was evident.

Rachel knew there was little she could say to Donoma that wouldn't come across as patronizing to her or as a protective mother. She reached out again, glad that Donoma did not flinch away from her touch. She stroked the blonde hair for a few minutes, formulating the best way to reach Donoma. Finally... "I want to ask a favor of you, ka'eskone. I want you to talk to Koko Kanti about this – be angry at her if you need to be. I think she deserves a little of your anger at least. But she deserves it from you face to face, ka'eskone. She cannot give you her side of things if you are unwilling to hear what she has to say."

"I was willing, Rae’l. She refused. She intends to leave... again."

"Then it is up to you to prevent that, Donoma. Make her stay and listen." Rachel paused and drew a deep breath, feeling her way cautiously. "Donoma... ka'eskone... what do you want from her?"

Green eyes welled with tears though Donoma didn't allow them to fall. "I do not know anymore, Rae’l. I only wish it did not hurt so much."

"Then maybe you should consider which would hurt more – insisting that she stay and talk to you or allowing her to leave without explanation. But if she comes to talk to you, child, I ask that you listen to her with an open heart and mind. It is possible that she did what she did for the right reasons, even if it ended up being all wrong. My daughter loves you, Donoma, as she always has done. Please do not hold that against her."

"I wish I could believe that, Rae’l... I really do. But I have lived the past five cycles knowing that she did not love me enough to talk to me or to say goodbye. I sincerely doubt there is much love in her heart for me. However," Donoma continued before Rachel could protest, "if she chooses to speak to me before she leaves once more, I will do my best to listen to what she has to say and judge it fairly."

Rachel nodded. It wasn't the unequivocal support she was hoping for, but under the circumstances.... "That's the best I can ask, Donoma. Thank you."

"You were always so good to me, Rae’l. It is the least I can do to repay some of your kindness."

"You were a joy to my heart, Donoma. I always blessed the day the Great Spirit led you to us." Donoma bowed her head and blushed profusely; Rachel smiled and stroked her hair. "Do not be embarrassed, my young friend. One day... one day you will know the difference you made in my life and the life of my daughter. Until then, I want you to know that you retain a special place in my heart."

"As you do in mine, Rae’l."

Rachel smiled lovingly at the woman she had always considered a second daughter. "I must go now, ka'eskone. Honiahaka is waiting for my return to the land of his fathers, and I do not want him to worry because I am gone for too long. But if you ever need to speak to me, I will be listening for your call. Be strong, Donoma Chepi. Your life is going to take an interesting turn very soon."

Donoma looked up then to ask Rachel what her cryptic words meant. But there was no one there. Donoma closed her eyes again, hoping to stave off the headache she could feel coming on. Rachel had given her much to think about – the question was... what did she want to do?

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

Aucaman rode up to where Kya was seated on his mount, eyes wary and alert. "Anything?" he asked without preamble.

"No," Kya replied shortly, not willing to share Koko's lightning reflexes against him with anyone – for Donoma's sake as much as his. Despite the victory she had just led the tribe to, Koko's standing in the community was uncertain, and she and Donoma needed to work things out alone one way or another before action was taken against her. If word got round that she had laid hands on him... well, her defense would be that she was protecting Donoma. And that would only be enough if Donoma forgave her.

"Are you sure they are all right? Maybe I should check...."

"Do not, hestatanemo," Kya cautioned with a hand on Aucaman's shoulder. "Though I do not think Koko would react with malice, she would respond to you as a threat to Donoma's safety. Donoma was tending to Koko Kanti's wounds – I delivered her kit myself."

Aucaman nodded. Donoma would have sent Kya away if she was tending to the damage done by the white raiders. Despite her obvious upset over Koko's actions five cycles ago, she was very protective of the image Koko worked to achieve. "Do you need me to relieve you, Kya? You have been here for quite some time."

"I am fine, Aucuman, but perhaps you should let Neho'e know it might be a while. I believe Donoma Chepi intends to find the answers she seeks from Koko Kanti before she allows either of them to leave this place."

Aucaman's eyes widened. "That could be a very long time, hestatanemo."

Kya sighed. "I know. Two more stubborn People were never born."

"I will bring you back something warm to eat. And we will decide what to do after you have eaten."

"It would be appreciated," Kya admitted.

"Then I will return shortly."

Kya watched Aucaman out of sight, then turned his focus back to the plains that surrounded them, wishing that soon Donoma and Koko would emerge from the dell that currently hid them. Once they had things settled between them, Kya hoped things would return to a semblance of normal life... whatever that turned out to be.

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

Odahingum walked around the perimeter of the encampment. There was an air of expectation that had long been missing from his People. Koko Kanti's return had changed the very air around them and everyone seemed in a better frame of mind than they had for a long time. Takoda caught up with him when he was about halfway around and they stood together watching Aucaman return to them at a steady pace.

He jumped to the ground as he reached them, patting the pony on its hind quarters to send it back to the herd until he was ready to leave again. Takoda lifted a brow in question.

"I told Kya I would bring him some hot food and then we could decide how to proceed. He seems to think that this could take a while – that Donoma will not permit either of them to leave until she finds satisfaction in Koko's answers to her questions."

Odahingum covered his eyes. "They do realize that with the coming of the first Chinook, we leave the winter camp to follow the herd? That we are already behind?"

"I do not think Donoma Chepi is concerned about that, honored chieftain. Besides, having seen Koko Kanti fight as she did only hours from a sickbed, I believe ka'eskone could not be in better or safer hands. No matter why she left, Koko will not leave Donoma unprotected while she is here."

"I do not think Donoma will allow Koko Kanti to be anywhere she is not at this point, Odahingum, but what happens once she finds the answers she seeks remains to be seen. It would be better if we were some distance away. It will force them to resolve this on their own."

Odahingum nodded his agreement to Takoda's words. "Very well," he said. "Tomorrow we strike the tents and follow the herd towards the open plain. They will catch up with us or they will be here when we return for the cold season once more." He turned to Aucaman who was waiting patiently. "Tell Honaw and Keezheekona to dismantle Donoma Chepi's and Koko Kanti's dwellings and deliver them to just beyond where they are now. Then you go fetch Kya and bring him home. There is much to be done in preparation for our move."

Aucaman bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment. "I will do as you say, honored chieftain. I am certain there will be plenty of hands willing to help," he added before continuing on into the encampment. Soon there was a lot of activity as Litonya oversaw the packing up of both Donoma's and Koko's personal possessions and the young men started to disassemble the homes.

Odahingum and Takoda watched the activity for a while before turning back to look at one another. "I hope this works," Odahingum commented.

"I think it will," Takoda said. "I have a good feeling." Then they resumed their walk around the perimeter, breathing in the cool spring air with a sense of satisfaction. Today had been a good day – tomorrow would be better.

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

Koko sat quietly listening to the sounds she had missed for five long years as she let her mind wander. Slowly she was shedding the persona of Reb Stone and returning to the roots she knew as Koko Kanti. She sighed silently, wondering if that pursuit was a particularly wise one – no matter what happened... or not... between her and Donoma, the truth was Koko had another life now. Did she want to abandon everything she had achieved to return to the People? Would Donoma be willing to come with her if she didn't?

Koko shook her head in frustration. She had never had so much trouble listening before. She consciously cleared her mind, allowing no thought except for the sounds she could hear around her. There was the wind, a constant on the Plains; the rustle of grass; Donoma Chepi's breathing and the heartbeat that beat in time with Koko's own. At the back of her listening, just inside her hearing range, Koko heard the sound of horses moving rapidly toward them.

Without hesitation, Koko moved swiftly and silently to her feet, jumping onto the rise to see Kya riding towards the intruders slowly. Even from this distance, she was able to recognize Honaw, Keez, Aucaman and the other couple of warriors were familiar but not so much that she could put a name to the face. Didn't really matter – she knew they were part of Odahingum's tribe. She watched as they started to unload something from behind the pack horses until Honaw looked up and caught her fierce gaze. He called a halt to the activity and rode over to where Koko was standing with her arms crossed over her chest.

"Koko Kanti," Honaw greeted with a nod of his head.

"Honaw," she returned with a brow arched in question.

"Odahingum has decided to move the tribe; it is past time to begin following the herd. The Chinook has begun to blow."

"Several days ago, as a matter of fact. Why did you not move then?"

"Donoma insisted we stay put until her vision quest was over." Honaw sighed. "Everyone believes you are the answer to her search... everyone except Donoma. She refuses to see what the Great Spirit has done in this instance, but Neho'e assured Odahingum it is time to go. You are here to protect her now. We have brought your homes and belongings by his command."

Both brows flew straight up into her hairline. "Excuse me?" Honaw sighed, wondering why he always got stuck with this sort of assignment. He took a deep breath, but Koko waved her hands to stop his explanation before it could start. "I understood what you said, Honaw. I just cannot comprehend the reasoning behind it."

"Takoda believes that Donoma will not allow you to be anywhere she is not at this point... at least until she finds the answers she seeks from you. He thinks it would be better if we were some distance away, forcing you to resolve the situation on your own."

"I see," Koko said calmly. "In that case, I would like you to place them in the dell. Come with me and I will show you where."

Honaw signaled to the rest of his band, then jumped from his horse and followed Koko back down the incline. He hoped Donoma would ignore them until he was gone. He had no desire to face her wrath after the last few days. Personally, he would be glad to be far away from the two of them when everything came to a head.

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

Litonya didn't say anything as she and her daughters-in-law packed up first Koko Kanti's possessions and then Donoma Chepi's. But as soon as they were finished and had returned to their own homes to take care of their own preparations, Litonya turned to Takoda with questions in her eyes.

"Takoda, what are we doing? Why are we leaving the two of them out here alone... without the protection of the tribe? Have you seen...?"

He wrapped his arms around her in comfort and Litonya snuggled into his embrace – it had always been this way between them and Litonya sighed in contentment. Takoda ran his hands gently over her arms and back, then kissed her head before he spoke.

"I have, Litonya. Late last night after Koko left to follow Donoma on her spirit quest. What happens now is between the two of them – there is nothing more we can do and our continued interference will do nothing but ensure Donoma's stubborn behavior. To that end we will leave. They are both well aware of the habits of the People; they know how to find us if and when they decide to rejoin us."

Litonya lifted her head to look Takoda in the eyes. "You do not think they will?"

He shrugged. "I do not know," he replied honestly. "I cannot see clearly on much involving the two of them," he said with a wry tone. "I know it is a possibility given that Koko Kanti does have another life out in the white man's world. She may choose to return to it. Donoma could choose to return with her or she could decide to stay here and be miserable alone. Or Koko could decide to return to the fold of the People and resume her life among us, Litonya. I do not know what will happen – I only know what I see as options for the two of them. Odahingum assures me that is the best I will get in regards to the two of them because they are my daughters and the Great Spirit will not give me insight where they are concerned... just like any other parent."

He felt Litonya shake with laughter within the circle of his arms and smiled sympathetically. Then she shifted in his embrace so she was sitting up next to him yet still had his arms around her. "Well, if they do not get things settled between them to *my* satisfaction, I will exercise my prerogative as their Nahko'e and do something drastic. The tribe cannot continue to live with Donoma's darkness... not when her chance for happiness is right here waiting to be claimed. I will not permit her stubbornness to be a deterrent to that end."

Takoda squeezed her tightly, then ran his hands over her arms again in a comforting manner. "We cannot interfere in such a manner, Litonya. It must be their decision for better or worse."

"You think so, Takoda? Just try me. I have been patient with these two long enough." He gazed at her lovingly, then shook his head in humored dismay. "I just want them to find the happiness that we have known, Takoda. They deserve to be happy."

"They do, but it must be their choice, Nutta. Otherwise it means nothing."

Litonya huffed. "That is not fair."

"No," Takoda agreed, "but it is life."

"I could do a much better job than they are doing with it at the moment."

Takoda laughed. "I think we all could, Litonya. But have a little faith. I have a feeling things will turn out all right for them in the end. It just may not be the ending *we* want."

"You think they will leave the People and return to the white man's world," Litonya said flatly. Takoda didn't speak aloud though his eyes gave their own answer. "That will be all right, Takoda, as long as they do so together. We will deal with the rest as it comes."

Takoda smiled at Litonya and kissed her tenderly. "How did you get so wise?" he asked when they parted.

"I married a wise man, Nutta. How could some of that not rub off on me?" This time when Takoda laughed, Litonya joined him. The rest of the clan wondered at the sound given the week they had just been through, but for the shaman and his wife, it was a respite they needed. And it was enough.

Chapter XVI

Donoma heard the commotion at the back of the small hill she was sheltered by, but she did not bother to turn around to see what was going on. Her hearing told her the people making the noise were friendly and that was enough for her. She knew Koko would take care of any problems that arose. And at the moment she was trying to find the balance in her soul she so desperately craved. Her conversation with Rachel had thrown everything out of kilter worse than it had been before, and the turmoil was making her shake from the inside out.

Koko watched Donoma with one eye while overseeing the raising of their homes side by side. She could see the deep, even breathing and the faintest hint of trembling in the small frame. Koko wanted to go to Donoma, but had no desire to do so in front of so many witnesses. What was between them was private, and Koko intended to keep it that way if she could. A look in Honaw's direction showed her that the warriors were nearly done with their assembly and would soon be ready to leave.

Keez and Kya brought down the possessions – bedding for Koko since she already had her saddlebags; more personal possessions for Donoma. They placed the items just outside the doorway, assuming correctly that both women would prefer to put their own stuff away. Then the warriors nodded to Koko to indicate the completion of their task and their readiness to leave. She nodded back in thanks and dismissed them. Only Honaw lagged behind.

"You know the path we follow, Koko Kanti, but there is no expectation for your return." He paused to swallow. "I wish you much success in your endeavor. It will be good to see you both whole once more."

Koko would have commented, but Honaw did not give her a chance. Instead he turned and disappeared up the hill, mounting his horse and leading his fellow warriors back to the encampment. Tomorrow they would follow the herd away from the winter camp.

Koko looked at the belongings and back at Donoma. The shaking seemed to have stopped for the moment, so she decided to put things away. Hers was easy – the furs for her bedding went down quickly, though not without some effort and a good deal of pain. She breathed for a long moment, willing the pain to the back of her mind to deal with later. Then she placed the saddlebags on the other side of the space and stepped back out to take care of Donoma's things.

Bedding first again... mostly because the sky was rapidly becoming overcast. She dropped it rather haphazardly, planning to straighten it after the rest was brought into the dry tent. Koko went back out and grabbed up the remainder of Donoma's possessions, groaning aloud against her will when pain shot up her side again in a sharp, blinding wave.

From her position on the ground, Donoma heard Koko groan in pain and opened her eyes. She turned back towards where she knew the warrior had been meditating, eyes widening when she saw the changes that had taken place in such a relatively short period of time. She noticed the storm gathering around her and headed towards her home. Then she stopped short just inside the doorway, stunned at what she saw.

Koko lay on the floor in a fetal position, her breathing short and shallow and her eyes closed. Scattered around her were all of Donoma's belongings. Donoma bit her lip and crossed to kneel beside Koko's head, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. Blue eyes fluttered open and Donoma winced in sympathy at the pain she saw reflected in them.

"Turn over for me, Koko. I need to see what damage has been done to cause you to hurt so badly." Koko lay still, not moving. Donoma pushed as easily as she could to roll Koko to her back. "Nutta... work with me here. I cannot take care of you if you will not let me. Please, Koko...." The rumble of thunder accompanied her words and the roar of rain swiftly followed.

Recognition finally dawned in Koko's eyes and she allowed Donoma to ease her back into a reclining position, though she couldn't stop the moan that escaped her lips. Donoma sucked in a breath when she saw that once again her handiwork had been destroyed and wondered in passing what had caused the injury to start bleeding again.

"We need to remove your shirt, Koko. Then I need to find a way to close your wound without trying to sew it shut, as the stitching obviously will not hold there at the moment."

"Help me stand," Koko whispered, as though the effort was costing her greatly.

"Koko, I do not think...."

"Please, ka'eskone. I do not want to bleed to death all over my new leathers," Koko joked weakly.

Donoma glared at her. "I do not want you to bleed to death at all, Koko." But she stood and offered Koko her hands, bracing herself for the pulling of weight against her deceptively sturdy frame. It took a bit of effort and grunting on both their parts, but eventually, Koko found herself in an upright position.

She loosened the ties around her neck and Donoma eased the shirt over Koko's chest. Then Koko struggled to get it over her head. After several long minutes of exertion, she managed to get it over her head and off one arm. Donoma took over from there and slid it down the other, laying the shirt aside and unwrapping the bloody bandages from Koko's torso. Before she could do more, Koko's hand on her arm stopped her in her tracks.

"My trousers, ka'eskone. Help me remove them as well."

Donoma looked at Koko askance, but the determination in the warrior's eyes convinced her to help first and ask questions later. "Stand still," she commanded, and loosened the ties at Koko's waist. Then she knelt and slid the pants down the long legs, tapping each one to tell Koko when to lift. Koko's hands went to Donoma's shoulders for balance, and soon she was standing in the center of Donoma's tent naked except for the bandage she wore around her thigh.

"Stay here," Koko commanded in a firm voice that was now just above a whisper. Then she stepped out into the pouring rain and just stood with her arms extended outward and her face turned towards the sky.

She let the rain beat down on her a long moment, rinsing away the blood once more and allowing it to cleanse her... body and soul. She removed the bandage from her thigh and handed it to Donoma when she extended her hand for it, then turned and walked into her home. In a moment she was returning with her saddlebags in hand and stepping back into Donoma's dwelling. Without a word, Donoma took Koko's arm and led her to her bed, easing her down and waiting expectantly.

Koko closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing – the whole day had cost her far more than she had to expend, and the last was particularly agonizing. A warm hand on her face caused her to blink open her eyes and Koko was surprised by the compassion staring back at her from bright green eyes.

"What can I do to ease your suffering, Koko Kanti? My anger aside, I have no desire to see you in such pain."

Koko smiled wanly. Donoma had never been one to see anyone suffer if she could do something to prevent it. "This helps, ka'eskone," covering the hand on her skin. Koko felt Donoma jerk but she didn't release her hand and gradually Donoma relaxed again. "But I have something in my bag that will help stem the bleeding without you needing to stitch the skin again or bandage it up immediately. It is painful, but it is also very effective."

Donoma waited, then finally broke the silence with a sly grin. "Would you care to loosen your grip on my hand and describe to me what I am looking for or do you expect it to make its way out of your bag to me of its own free will?"

Koko smiled sheepishly. "My apologies, Donoma. I do not think my brain is engaged as it should be." She moved her hand from on top of Donoma's and immediately felt the loss when Donoma removed her warmth from Koko's face. She looked at Koko expectantly. "In the bottom of this bag, I think," tapping the one nearest to her, "you will find a small kit. Inside is a folded paper with a white powdery substance. Cover the wound with the powder." Koko lay down and covered her eyes with her hand, waiting for Donoma to follow her instructions.

Donoma dug through the bag carefully until she found the kit, then searched through it for the paper Koko had described. She sniffed it carefully, then scrunched her nose up as the urge to sneeze became overwhelming. A taste on her tongue made her pucker up and shake her head. Then she shook the powder out onto the raw, open injury, watching in fascination as the powder bubbled up. Donoma heard Koko hiss at the sensation, but otherwise there was no reaction from the warrior.

After a few minutes, the bubbling stopped, and so had the bleeding. Donoma sighed and so did Koko. "Now what?" the seer asked softly.

"Now," Koko groaned and rolled slightly to look out onto the wet but no longer stormy landscape, "I take the wet fur and return to my own home. If you want another dry piece of bedding, I am afraid you will need to come with me and bring it back for yourself. I am afraid I have done all that I can and more than I should today."

Donoma glared at Koko and planted her hands on her hips. "Are you stupid all the time now, Koko Kanti?" her anger clear. Blue eyes blazed at the insult and Koko would have responded if Donoma had not continued speaking. "I will not permit you to lie on a wet fur and I will not allow you to leave here to go anywhere... not even to your own tent. You are not in any condition to be left alone for any reason – do I make myself clear?"

Koko bit her lip at the familiarity of it all and nodded, her ire cooled at the true concern and anxiety clear in Donoma's eyes and voice.

"Good," Donoma said after a moment. "Now, I am going to go gather your bedding and bring it over here, then I will take care of finding a place to dry the fur. Are you dry now?" Another nod. "Very well – do not move... I will be right back."

Donoma was indeed back after only a moment, and she took her time setting up Koko's bedding on the opposite side of the firepit Honaw had thoughtfully made sure was ready for her use. When she was satisfied it was as comfortable as she could make it, she crossed back over to Koko and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. Koko forced her eyes open and faced Donoma.

"Come, my warrior... it is time for you to rest."

Koko didn't answer but her heart swelled. That was the second time Donoma had used an endearment when addressing her. There was still a possibility for forgiveness. First, however, she wanted to be well and in her right mind, something she was confident was not possible at the moment. She rose slowly, leaning heavily on Donoma for support and shuffled to her bed. Koko dropped the wet fur and eased down as slowly as she could manage, letting Donoma tuck her in carefully. She closed her eyes when Donoma brushed still wet hair from her face.

"Sleep, Koko Kanti. It is the best medicine I know."

Koko smiled and was asleep before Donoma could say any more. Donoma sat beside her watching her breathe for another very long moment before she rose and gathered the wet fur and bandages from around her and headed outside to find a place to drape them to dry.

Then she went back inside and lit the fire Honaw had laid, watching the flickering flame and the warrior that rested on the other side of it. It looked to be a long night.

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

Koko blinked heavy eyelids open slowly, trying to orient herself. Her first incoherent thought was attempting to figure out where she was and why she was naked. Her second thought came as she realized she was alone and by the look of the sun streaming in the open doorway, probably has been for some time. She blinked again, moving her head slowly as she tried to put all the pieces together, but she was having difficulty deciding what was real and what was imagined.

Koko threw the blanket covering her body off, wincing with the motion and flinching when she was the raw wound that was scabbing over. No wonder she felt as though she had been back-kicked by a horse and run over by a wagon train for good measure. She reached to pull the blanket back into place and groaned at the pain she felt rush through her system. Donoma was immediately at her side, tucking her in again and checking her for fever.

"Donoma Chepi?" Koko asked, trying to make her mind believe what her eyes were seeing. She had been dreaming, hadn't she? But the bullet hole in her side attested to the fact that what she remembered was more than dreams – it was real. Koko reached out a hand towards Donoma, pleased when Donoma didn't flinch away from her touch. "Are you real?"

Donoma caught her hand and brought it to her face. "As real as you are, Koko Kanti. But you were taken with fever again. I am going to bring you some broth, then you are going to sleep some more so you can regain your strength. No more fighting."

"So says my warrior advisor?"

"If that is what it takes, warrior. You are not going to undo all my effort to make you whole again by getting sick now, do you understand me?"

Koko grinned weakly. "I understand, ka'eskone. I have missed you, Donoma Chepi."

Donoma didn't answer aloud, but she gave Koko a long, telling look before she rose and headed back out into the sunshine where she had broth on the small fire. Koko closed her eyes for a moment, and the next thing she knew, Donoma was shaking her awake.

"Can you manage on your own, Koko or do you require some assistance?"

"If you could help me sit up, I think I can eat on my own. Sitting up is going to be the problem."

"Are you in much pain then?"

"My whole body hurts, ka'eskone. But at least I am alive to feel the pain. I have a feeling I could be much worse off than I am. What happened?"

"What do you remember?"

"Bits... I am not sure what is real and what I imagined. But given the hole in my belly, I have to think that most of what I remember is real. How long has it been?" They shifted her into a reclining position against Donoma's chest and Koko slowly sipped at the warm broth, realizing instantly how hungry she was, but knowing better than to rush.

"That depends on what you are asking, Koko. It has been six days since you rode into the winter encampment draped over Black's back. It has been two days since you led the warriors of the tribe out to defeat the white enemy who did this to you and since Honaw and my hestatanemos brought our homes and belongings into this place and set them up for our use."

"I have been asleep for two days??"

"No, Koko," Donoma corrected carefully. "You only slept through one day... and two nights," guarded green eyes just barely twinkling. "And you are going to sleep through at least one more before I let you up out of bed."

"But...." Koko whined, not caring about her warrior image at this point.

Now the green gaze glared. "Do not attempt to argue with me, warrior. I will not allow you to be reckless as my kinsmen did. You should not have been allowed to chase the white men who followed you – Honaw and the rest of the warriors could have managed. And do not tell me you had to lead them, Koko Kanti. They are perfectly capable – you trained them well."

"It was a matter of...."

"If the word 'honor' comes out of your mouth, I will not be responsible for what happens." Koko leaned back enough to look into Donoma's eyes to find dead seriousness reflected back at her. She swallowed hard.

"I am sorry, ka'eskone. I am afraid I have caused you much work that should not have been your burden. I was not supposed to be here; Black was supposed to take me home... to the home I have among the white men. I never planned...."

"I know, Koko Kanti. We had this conversation already. What I do not yet understand is why you left me in the first place. Nor do I know how long you plan to remain in this place with me before you return to the world of the white man."

"We talked about this?" Koko asked and pushed the remainder of the broth away from her. Donoma looked into the bowl with a frown until she noted there were only dregs. She placed the bowl beside her and nodded at Koko. The warrior frowned, then her vision cleared. "Oh yes... after you dressed my wounds the first time- before my vision quest when I spoke to Honiahaka. You were very angry."

"I am still very angry, Koko, but that would never interfere with my care of you. Donoma's eyes widened. "Wait... you spoke with Honiahaka?" She blinked at Koko's nod. "I spoke to Rae’l."

"I miss my Nahko'e and my Neho'e. I wonder why she came to you," Koko mused softly.

"She came on your behalf, warrior. Perhaps you should think about why she would come to me for you like that," Donoma said as she slid out from beneath Koko's weight. "However," she added, not allowing Koko the chance to respond, "right now, you need to sleep."

"Actually, right now I need to go outside. I have to, ka'eskone."

"Then you have to allow me to help you, Koko. Your body cannot heal if you continue to abuse it so."

"I know, ka'eskone. I am stubborn... not stupid. We will move slowly so that we do not injure you or do more damage to me in the process."

"It sounds as though you have been through this before," Donoma said evenly as she braced for Koko's weight against her.

"Never this badly, but more than I would like," Koko confessed as she rose to her feet. They walked slowly to the area Donoma had set aside for a privy and when Koko was done, they moved just as slowly back to Donoma's home. Koko breathed a sigh of relief when her head finally hit the fur under her head. "I do not remember it being so hard before."

"It will get better as you heal," Donoma promised, but that was all she said before moving back out into the sunlight. Koko hardly had time to miss her before her eyes closed and she returned to a deep, healing sleep.

Part 9

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