A day in the creek- 9

After eating a bit I tunnel back into the pelts, sleep made my eyes heavy.

Soon I was back into the land of dreams.

When I woke up, Will was gone and it was only Roy in his lion form that was sleeping close by.

I stretched in the pelts and yawned, the warmth was soothing, my stomach growled lowly. I placed my palm on it trying to sooth the sharp sting of hunger.

I grumbled and rolled over burying myself into the thick pelts. I didn't want to get up, but I know if I stayed in the bed anymore then I would start feeling bad.

I quietly hoisted my self up, my legs were a bit shaky but a few steps later I was fine.

I tip toed up to the wooden door and peered through the crack.

It was early morning the fog still hadn't faded and the dew was still fresh on the ground.

I was sick of being stuck in the house all day. Yes I felt a bit light headed but I didn't want to be cooped up.

I looked around the house the buckets will had brought yesterday was filled with feathers, I walked to them and picked one up.

I stared at the brown colored feather for a while then looked back at the bed.

(I could use these for padding…) I thought for a while before putting it down.

I heard the sound of the wood being moved and stood up and looked over.

I met Will's eyes in a awkward manner, I felt like I still was expected to be laying down.

When he looked at me a concerned expression crossed his face.

"M-Maria, you need to be resting…"

Roy's ears flicked forward and he opened his eyes.

He looked at the bed and not seeing me there he frantically looked around until he saw me.

He heaved a sigh and shifted.

"I'm sorry I just can't stay cooped up in bed all day!" I said waving my hands to defend myself.

Roy stared at Will then looked back at me.

"Will take her on a short walk. I'm going to go to the hunting grounds for a bit." Roy said in a agitated voice, I flinched when he walked by me.

I had wondered what had happened for him to act like that, it made me really nervous.

Will watched him leave in slight confusion, but he walked up to me and motioned for us to go.

He took me through a small trail through the woods, the birds sung out in whistles.

I enjoyed the natural beauty as much as I could, not watching my step I stumbled a couple times but never fell down, Will would catch me before I would face plant.

"M-Maria watch we're your stepping, t-there isn't really even anything to t-trip on!" He said after my 5th trip, I bet he thought I was clumsy but in reality I was never this clumsy.

"Sorry! I'm just excited to be out of the house! I haven't really ever been in woods like this so I want to take it all in." I said apologizing, Will sighed and shakily took my hand.

I looked at him in slight shock, he adverted his gaze his cheeks were beat red.

"Y-y-y-your clumsy." He said plainly stuttering about, I gave a flustered smile my heart clinching tightly.

"A-am not."

"Are too." He retorted with one of his smiles that set my heart ablaze.

He really was something, so reserved and more gentle than Roy. In my eyes he was a gentle man, he was very observant and seemed to know when ever something was wrong.

Was it okay to be this attached? I felt a little guilty In the prospect that I am trying to get back to my world.

Will starting relationships just mean pain in the end?

I tightened my grip on his hand as we walked I keep my gaze on the ground feeling slightly dizzy but I would be fine.

Will glanced at me and tilted his head.

"Are y-you okay?" He questioned noticing my hold had became tighter.

"Feeling sick? W-we can go back if you want to?"

I shook my head and gave him a gentle smile.

"I'm fine I was just in my own head…"

His eyes widened a bit and then he looked at the road in thought.

"I-I know I'm n-not a good talker but… I'm a great listener I-If you need one."

His face was redder than I had ever seen it when I glanced at him, but I smiled the biggest smile I could muster.

"I'll keep that in mind, Will thank you."

He just nodded his head gently and kept walking.

The silence this time wasn't awkward it was more peaceful. His hand kept a tight grip on mine as we ventured.

After a while the sounds of water moving filled the air, I looked around in curiosity wondering where it was coming from.

Will looked at my curiosity and gave a small chuckle.

"T-there is a creek up here." He explained, I looked at him in slight excitement.

(Maybe I could wash up…)

"Can we go there?" I said in a hopeful voice while looking up at him.

"I-I don't see why not…" he said shrugging his shoulders.

I smiled and we continued down the trail.

•Will's POV•

My face felt hot, her hand was tucked gently into mine.

My heart pounded wildly, even though she really didn't seem to mind it…

I grasped her hand a little tighter, yes I grabbed it because she kept tripping up but….

There wasn't even a reason now since we are away from the harsher trail.

It wasn't hurting anything was it? I glanced at her, her dark hair bounced with every step she took. She was really pretty, I looked down at my scars in distaste.

I wasn't good enough for her, these scars….

I shook my head clearing my head, remembering what she told me about my scars…

If she thought that of me, then I should think more highly of them…

Even though… I sighed again shaking my head, I didn't need that running through my mind right now…

We came up upon the creek, her eyes sparkled a blue excitement.

She looked at me and slightly jumped about.

"Can I get into the water?" She said grabbing my other hand with her free hand and spun me around.

My face felt hot again as I looked away in embarrassment.

"I-I-I don't know… I-it's cold, you might get a cold." I said once she stopped giddily spinning.

"Please I just wanna wash off!"

My body felt a bit hot as I tried to get words out, how did this female make it so hard for me to say no?

"S-sure, just don't take long." Her smile brightened up my heart as she let go of my hands.

The chilly air from the creek hit the palms of my hand, making me a bit sad.

She put her foot into the water and quickly retracted it.

"ITS COLLLLLLDDDD!" She said trying to put her foot back into the water.

"I-I told you." I chuckled going up to the bank and put some water on my face scrubbing it slightly then rinsing it off.

I heard slight noises of water when I looked up, she was in thigh deep she had her arms around she shoulders as her body slightly shivered.

"Hey if it's to cold get out of the water." I said concerned for her health.

"I'll be f-fine in a bit it just takes a while to get used to the water that's all."

She said slowly lowering herself into the water.

I turned my gaze away feeling like I shouldn't be watching her.

I heard and loud splash and her squeak a bit, quickly I turned around in slight worry.

There wasn't any gators in the creek I was more worried about a snake.

When I look we locked eyes, her face flushed and she turned her face away.

"Hey? A-are you o-okay." I said trying to make my way into the freezing water.

She submerged half of her face under water and went further out her face as red as berries.

I followed her out there and called out.

"A-are you okay? M-Maria what happened."

She turned around her face still as red.

"Maria?" Her silence made me worry more than the chill of the water.

I got there and nervously reached for her.

"M-Maria?" When I hand found her shoulder she lifted her face out of the water and smiled wildly.

It happened so fast I didn't even really know what happened.

She wheeled her small hand back and splashed my face.

Blinded by water for a few seconds I felt her escape my grasps.

•Maria's POV•

I swam away, no I was not going to tell him while trying to ease myself into the water I slipped and fell.

That was embarrassing, I never fall usually it seems today I'm more on the clumsy side of things.

Suddenly I fell hands on my feet and I was yanked back. My face submerged underwater for a bit before I resurface with Will's face right in-front of mine.

"W-what did I do to deserve that splash?" Will says his face slightly concerned.

"You just dunked me under water I think that's reason enough!" I laugh wiping my face off, I couldn't really touch the bottom but Will seemed to be doing fine.

"Can you touch here?" I asked changing the subject away from me having to reveal my clumsiness.

"Uh, well yeah I can… You can't?" He asked observing me.

"Not really, I'm kinda short if you haven't noticed. I'm a good swimmer though."

Will seemed to have forgotten the previous conversations and went on with the new subject.

I found it strange he was willing to change the subject so easily and forget about all the splashing and stuff but I wasn't about to question it.

"Maybe your from a Tiger Tribe? They aren't very common but their good swimmers." He said looking at my face intently which made me self conscious.

I didn't know nothing of the beast-men so I kept quiet on the subject afraid I would say something suspicious.

"I can't really see why R-Roy thinks your from the deer clan." He said tilting his head slightly leaning back into the water.

"Speaking of Roy, he seemed like he was in a bad mood this morning…" I said casting my gaze down.

"I noticed that… He seemed irritable today like he had a tick behind his ear…" I glanced at Will noting the weird phrase he had just said.

"Will…"

"Y-yeah?"

"Do you think it was because I was wandering around this morning." I asked a bit nervous it had been on my mind a while, I really didn't want to offend Roy…

"Huh? W-well I'm not really sure. Honestly I thought it was something I had done."

"You?"

"Y-yeah, Roy doesn't seem to particularly like me…"

"Why?"

"I- uh well… Lion males are usually really protective over their females. They don't like when other males get close, that's why their usually the only male their female has…"

"Wait but- I'm not his female…" i said waving my hands the water around them slightly splashing.

"He- well he might want to make you his at some point. He doesn't like me approaching something his mind has already claimed. At least that's how most lions are."

(Make me his!?! What the hell?)

My mouth gapped open and I felt like I almost died, I did not want to be anyones female.

Roy was cool and all but-

My mind went back to thinking about the world I come from.

I shook my head clearing my thoughts.

"H-how do I make him not like me that much?" It came out weird but the look on Wills face told me he got what I was say Will straightens his posture with a shocked look on his face.

"Uh- Wh- Y-you don't like him?"

)SORRY ABOUT THE SLOW UPDATE I HAD A DEATH IN MY FAMILY