Walk The Footsteps Of A Stranger [Me & Hani Yuuki]

[NykinaEverlynn]

Kuckunniwi
'Niwi'

If you walk the footsteps of a stranger.

┌ Sadness hung heavy in the wind on this day. Morning, and tears were aplenty. The reason so many were saddened only took a simply look at the green earth they stood upon. Mother Earths land had been soaked with blood. The dark color staid the ground that had once been beautiful. Now it only served as a bitter memory.

Heads were held low, and a cry was released into the air, a sound of anguish for their fallen brothers. The youngest among then, a boy no older then 17, shifted his feet. He lifted his head to the wind allowing the breeze to caress his face and with it blow away the tears that had fallen down his painted cheeks. Not many would openly cry, but he was young still and allowed tears. A hand was placed on his shoulder, dark eyes turned to meet the gaze of the chief. His father bowed his head "Little wolf." He spoke to him gently, using the meaning of his name rather then the name itself. "You did will my son, for your first battle."

A touch of a smile lifted the boys lips, but he couldn't really allow himself to feel happiness at his fathers praise. To many had been lost. He turned his gaze from his fathers, looking out into what had just been the battle filed. "What will we do with the fallen." He asked.

"Some of our people will stay behind, give them the proper respect the dead deserve." The elder males eyes too turned to look.

"And the white men?"

"They will be treated the same."The sons eyes narrowed at this, but he didn't speak against his father. His word was law. But the press of his lips showed well his disagreement. "They are of the dead now, and we will not mistreat them." Again the boy didn't speak, only nodded. "Kuckunniwi..." His name was spoken on a whisper that died in the wind.

"Chief!" A shout interrupted the conversation between the two. "There is one still alive."

Matching set of eyes widened, this was something of a shock. Niwi moved quickly, hanging his bow over his shoulder as he walked to where the warrior had called them. Clutch in his fist was a single arrow, encase he needed it. But as it turned out the man wasn't conscientious, a as such far from a threat. His hair was brown, tousled and thick with blood-though if it was his or his comrades remained to be seen. But Niwi wasn't interested in the look of his body, or the damage done to it. His skin was white, and thus that made him his enemy. His eyes narrowed on the body, but when he spoke his words were directed to his father. "What should we do with him."

His fathers answer surprise not only his son, but the other warriors as well. "Well take him back with us. Lock him up. Maybe he can let us into the mind of our enemy." Niwi turned quickly his full attention now on his father, but the elder held up a hand, he would hear nothing from his son. "My word is final."

In silence their horses were gathered, the white man was bound and placed in front of Niwi. His body lied draped over the others lap, the boy holding a hand on his chest to keep the body steady as they took of at a gallop. Returning to their home with far less then they started out with.┘

You'll learn things you never knew.

 

[Sjxndjzjxbxh]

James' mind was in a different state than his body; his body layed cold but his mind was racing. Why didn't they listen to him? He had told his Captian that it was a trap, but no one wanted to listen to the newly enlisted. And he was right, there was a trap and half of the Army walked right into in. His partner, his own brother, followed him through the battle.

James and his brother were raised in the new town of Mississippi, there were the first to be born there. Their father was a good country boy, so the two grew up tracking game, and kill their dinner. Edward was the older of the two brothers, and married at a young age. James could remember all of the happiness in his brothers eyes on that day. Then came the war, and James and Edward were shipped away to fight.

The two brother's hunting skills made them a hard target on the field, they were a great team. But then it happened, Edward and James were fighting hand combat with some indains when Edward was stabbed. James went in a rage and killed the 'men' that hurt his brother, being stabbed in the process. He fell to his brother's broken body, looking down into eyes that grew colder and colder. "Ed..." he whispered, "Hold on Ed. Were gonna get you home to see..." He didn't even finish before his brother's shaking body fell forever still. James cried and laid his partner down, taking the cross from his neck. He held onto it, when he felt a sharp pain in his neck as he fell.
Everything in his world was quiet untill he hear, "Chief! There is one still alive." He knew hoping it was Edward wouldn't help so he stayed still as his body was moved, never releasing Edward's necklace.

NykinaEverlynn

 

[NykinaEverlynn]

Kuckunniwi
'Niwi'

If you walk the footsteps of a stranger.

┌ The rhythmical sound of horses hovers was the only sound to accompany the warriors trips back. For this time the men were silent, heads bowed solemnly for those lost to the white men. Once they reached the village there would be a celebration for their victory today. But for the moment they would morn there lost brothers. For the moment they would allow there hearts sadness.

Ahead the shape of triangles began to form, smoke raised into the air from more then one of them. It must almost be dinner time. Niwi thought, his stomach rumbled a bit at responds. The horses slowed to a stop as the chief rode out to stand before his people. "My warriors, raise your heads for tonight will be a feast." He held his spear to the sky with his final words, and for the moment all the sadness that had been hanging like a waterfall over there hearts lifted. In response everyone else raised their weapons high. Niwi included in this, lifting his hand of the chest of his enemy to hold his bow to the sky. A whoop of joy came from each warrior. Horses bucked seeming to cheer with the humans ridding him. The younger boy could feel his own shifting, but with the extra body in his lap a jump from his stallion would not be the best course of action.

"Shh." He cooed, leaning over enough to run his hand along the animals neck. "We are all happy, but you must stay still. We have a passenger." Not that he really care if the solider took a tumble, he simply didn't want to follow after him. At the thought of the white man, Niwi looked down at him. He didn't hold back the sneer that lifted his lips, nor hide the sickness he felt at simply placing a hand on him. This was his enemy, one of the devils that had kills so many of his people. And those who did not die in battle were sent of to and ever worse fate.

He'd heard of the Trail of Tears and about those who were made to walk it. How long the journey was, how cruel the soldiers were, how many died of sickness. These people were ripping his people form their homes and relocating them. They had invaded their land, and seemed to think that they had the rights to it. His fist clutch around the clothing of the soldier as these thought heated his mind and heart. "Evil, that's what they are." Of course the man wouldn't be able to understand the language he spoke if he even was awake.

His mind however was brought to the present as the sound of hovers echoed once again. Only now the silence had lifted his people were happy for the moment, they had won for a time. It was with these smiles that they returned to their village, greeting the people awaiting them. In the mist of the joyful return Niwi was directed to that the prisoner to a empty tepee, and with the help of a much bigger male they managed to tie him around the post in the middle so the small home.

But they simply couldn't leave him without watch. So Niwi assured the male he would stay and keep watch while he aided in father in telling the families of their loss. The boy didn't really have the heart for that task himself. Once the male agreed and left the boy took a seat near the door, crossing his legs over one another he removed the bow from his back and placed it in his lap, unsheathing an arrow to rest beside him. Should there be any troubled once he woke. ┘

You'll learn things you never knew.

 

[Sjxndjzjxbxh]

James opened his heavy eye's not long after he was tied to the pole. He's eyes wouldn't fouce, and his body wouldn't move. He could hear the voice's outside, but he could not understand them. "Edward..." he whispered, thinking of his brothers dead body, his brothers blood on his clothes, as well as his own. He could still feel Edwards cross in his hands so his sighed slightly, coughing and finally noticing the cut in his chest. It had stopped bleeding, but that didn't mean he couldn't feel it.
He noticed the dark skinned boy by the door, and he could feel the hate flowing through his veins. "Where is my brother?!" he shouted at the boy, "What did you do with Edward?!" He could feel the hate and saddness in his eyes as he yelled at the other. Why did these monster get to live and not his brother? His brother was a good man, with a bady on the way. Why him? Why couldn't James take his place?

NykinaEverlynn

 

[Sjxndjzjxbxh]

NykinaEverlynn

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[NykinaEverlynn]

Kuckunniwi
'Niwi'

If you walk the footsteps of a stranger.

┌ Niwi tensed the moment the white man awoke. His hand lifted the bow off of his lap, the other moving to grab the arrow just beside him. In on fluid motion he had the weapon drown back, his legs moved from there comfortable position. Now he perched on his toes, arrow aim right at the white mans head.

Now Niwi knew a few English words. Taught to him in his youth by a kind nurse. Her name had been Anna, she wore the same skin as the man he was now crouching before. Back then however, things had been different. As a child he hadn't known how deep the hated ran, or even that there was any to be found. Anna had come to them in a time of need, when his village had fallen ill from a sickness the wise man hadn't been able to fix. Anna was the one who helped not only him, but many of his people survive that time.

She was a woman he would never forget. And despite the color of her skin, he'd always think her to be an Goddess sent to them. But that didn't apply to this man, to here and now.

The male spoke rapidly, and it had been quite some time since the boy had ever thought about the others language. His eyes stayed narrowed on the boy as he deciphered his words. Edward? Was he a friend, on of his warrior brothers. If so then Niwi could only assume he was dead, or like many other had fled. He choice his answer carefully, the words he spoke felt odd on his tongue, they twisted in sound, his accent making his speech hard to understand. "Dead.... or.. ran." He spoke slowly, forcing each syllable out. ┘

You'll learn things you never knew.

 

[Sjxndjzjxbxh]

James glared at the other, pulling on rope that tied him down. He struggled against it, feeling the rope cutting into his chest and wound. "What did you do with his body?" he yelled feeling tears threating to run down his face. He just couldn't believe that he'd never see his big brother again, how would Dad and Sarai take it? Could Sarai even raise the baby on her own? I swear if I get out of here, I'll kill everyone of them, he told himself. He stared at the boy in front of him, still struggling against the rope.

NykinaEverlynn

 

[NykinaEverlynn]

Kuckunniwi
'Niwi'

If you walk the footsteps of a stranger.

┌ Niwi pulled moved closer, his arrow now hanging only an inch from his forehead. He wasn't actually planing on shooting him. He had more honor then to take down a man unarmed and helpless. He only wish to make his heart speak up with fear, and hopefully get him to stop struggling. If he was smart he would.

Once again it took him some time to think about the words he spoke, going back though the years to remember his teaching. "Buried.." He said slowly, unsure if this was the correct word to use or not. What else did one do with the dead. Did he think they were like the other tribes that would place their victims head on spears outside of their home. His people were nothing like them. ┘

You'll learn things you never knew.

 

[Sjxndjzjxbxh]

James glanced up at the boy, frozing when he heard that his brother was buried. While in the Army, he had seen the dead on spears, bringing shame to the fallen. So these people weren't as evil as he was lead to believe, but they killed his brother so they were still evil in his book.
He couldn't stop the tear from rolling down his cheek, thinking of his family's pain. The Army would tell his pa that they were both dead, he was sure that the indains would kill him too. He didn't fear death, he didn't fear anything anymore.

NykinaEverlynn

 

[NykinaEverlynn]

Kuckunniwi
'Niwi'

If you walk the footsteps of a stranger.

┌ Niwi's eyes narrowed in on the crystal tear rolling down the length of the males face. The sadness held within the strangers orbs said this came from deep pain. Edward? Was that a friend, family. Niwi could understand his pain, he too had lost friends to their fight. Even if his people had come out on top, there were still many lives lost.

The boy lowered his bow. Allowing himself to relax, he moved his legs until he they were crossed once more. Then he turned his head, allowing the white male a moment to cry in privet. Niwi's own tears over his loss was held back in his throat. Seeing the other male cry had bought it all forward once more, the sting of loss was still fresh.

"Cry your pain. I will not watch." He spoke these words in his native langue, not knowing quite how to word them in to English. He didn't know weather the man would understand him or not, but this was the only bit of peace he could allow him. ┘

You'll learn things you never knew.

 

[Sjxndjzjxbxh]

James tried to wipe his tears on his shirt, but had to stop when the rope dug into his wound. He heard the other words, wondering what they meant. "What?" he asked the other, glancing up at him. This was the first time he really got to see him. The indain had pretty eyes, they looked like Edwards; and the indain's dark hair and skin couldn't be missed. "What's your name?" James asked lightly groaning from the pain of the rope cutting into his wound.

NykinaEverlynn

 

[NykinaEverlynn]

Kuckunniwi
'Niwi'

If you walk the footsteps of a stranger.

┌ When he heard the male speak his eyes drew back to the prisoner. His eyes still focused on the droplets making their long trail down his cheeks, he was quite surprised that a man like him-hardened by war-would so his feeling so freely. Niwi wasn't nearly so hard, since today had been his first true battle, but even he didn't dare to show his pain as freely as this male did. Perhaps it was what his people did.

A moment passed before he could understand the words, and another moment for him to answer in a voice he could understand. "Kuckunniwi. For... Short Niwi." Catching the groan from the white male Niwi stood to his feet, sliding his bow over his shoulder he moved until he was behind him. There he placed his hand on the rope. "Tight?" He asked. "If you... not run... un-tighten." His English was horrid, but he was trying. If this guy did decide to try and run it would be his last move. Niwi still has his bow and he was a excellent draw. The man would be dead before he could make it out of the tepee. ┘

You'll learn things you never knew.

 

[Sjxndjzjxbxh]

James nodded, he knew that his body was too weak to run from Niwi. He dropped his brother's necklace and spoke, "Will you put it on me?" He was hoping that the other could understand him. He stayed still to show that he wasn't going to run. "I'm James," He said glancing at the other, wondering how he knew english.

NykinaEverlynn

 

[NykinaEverlynn]

Kuckunniwi
'Niwi'

If you walk the footsteps of a stranger.

┌ With his agreement, Niwi began to take the rope in his fingers. It took a moment for him to undo the work of the male who had originally tied him up. The yanks and tugs he had to do to get the knot undone must not have be pleasant for the one known as James. He kept the rope in his hand even when it was undone, despite the fact that the white male wasn't attempting to flee he wasn't taking chances. Once it was tied again, he moved back to the side, his eyes dropped to the necklace that had fallen form his finger. Picking up the item in his own fingers he did as he was asked, pushing the males middle length hair back to clasp the chine around his neck. It laid neatly against his chest, though what it meant to the male he didn't know.

In truth he didn't know what he was being so nice. This man was the enemy. He couldn't simply forget that. Perhaps it was simply because Niwi could see he was in pain, and as such didn't wish to cause him more by being cruel. When someone died people didn't need someone to kick them while they were down. Later he wouldn't allow himself to be so forgiving for all that his people had done to Niwi's. Taking his seat once more in front of him, he rested his eyes on the males form, taking in his beaten body. A visit to the wise man might do him some good, but he wasn't sure if the elder would be keen to helping someone of his color. Pulling his bow to the front of his lap, the male kept his thoughts to himself, allowing silence to fall between them. ┘

You'll learn things you never knew.