New Fic: Tar'airah

[Shy One]

Hi Elizabeth!

It's nice to meet you too!

*shaking hands*

Wow. That was quite an interesting update.

You've got me pretty worried about all the upcoming angst, though.

I know you promised smoochies, so I take that to mean that

everything will work out ok in the end.............but I don't

do the angst thing very well. Of course, angst is what

makes a story great. *big sigh*

I guess I'll just have to be patient and wait for our girls to

finally get together.

I guess what I'm saying is......no matter what kind of gut-wrenching, tear-inducing, hair-pulling angst you throw at us,

I'll be here ing until the end.

Anyway.........great update and I can't wait for the next

installment!



Shy One

[LunaMuses]

like you even have to ask!! **hugs now, for sure!**



Amazonian for Dummies *AND* an update? How cool is that! ^^



I really enjoyed this chapter alot. It was neat to get in Willow's head for a bit, for one. For two, the talk between Faith and Tara was awesome too. We may know Will and Tar' are meant to be, but Faith can't be so sure...She's being a good friend, and (understandably) feels threatened and does not want to lose her Tara (and who can blame her)...So, I can understand where she's coming from...



tanks for the update! and wear lots of dark clothing, maybe you can shake the weird girl? ^^'

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics!" - Benjamin Disraeli

[Artemis]

Poor Tar', Fa'aith just doesn't get it. And it's not that she's a bad person, but she's grown up in the Amazon culture and embraced it, killing and all, while Tar' hasn't. So - even without Willow being a factor - she has to give up one or the other, give up her belief in her own values, or give up the only home she's ever had. Be brave girl.



Helps that she's got Willow, of course And it was touching to see her faith (forgive the pun) in Willow's worth.



That flashback was a tear-jerker. Tar's mother's name, Ranthia - very similar to Caranthia, what does it mean? My guess is that, whatever the 'ranthia' part means, 'car' means bitch

Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass

A Willow and Tara for every world.

[Spikeizmine87]

HOORAH for the new update! Im happy! I dont have to strangle or kill anyone! Its a good day for all! Loved this update. But faith, grrr...shes being a meany...ok update sooon!

-rose

I didnt know what being happy was till i found you, i didnt know what love meant till i loved you.

[Kajun]

I like the inclusion of Willow’s log.. back to the beginning are we? 10 days. It takes less than a heartbeat to fall for Tar’. Seems to me Willow isn’t the only one Fa’ doesn’t have much “faith” in. There’s no way Willow is going to leave the jungle without her soulmate. I’m betting the spices Tar’ is using may cause spark-age but definitely not harm-age to Willow or herself. I was all for the escaping, but now.. not so much. Tar’ needs to have a sit down with the tribe. She can teach them a thing or two about the benefits of being less with the “swimming” and more with the “non-captive-and-killer time.” And Willow would be more than enthusiastic in lending Tar’ a hand! Anyhoo.. looking forward to Ranthia’s return. Excellent update..

[Tempest Duer]

Well, it was kind of serious and a little sad when it came to the whole Tara/Faith interaction and talking about killing and stuff, but you know it was pretty cool. I liked Willow's journals. They were so funny...



Ah, Liz, I'm glad you love me too. I feel so loved.

It's insulting to the whole gender[sic] of rap.



~Eminem

[YMKA]

Ah...Lizi Lizi Lizi..... You had there a couple of lines that just blew me away....great job Keep it up!!!



Thanks!





M.



P.S yeap...I'm reading it and when you'll know what you'll do....ahm...let me know (re: shebagal)

[veiled isis moon]

Faith and Buffy teasing Tara is funny! They just don't understand how much she loves her and what she's willing to do for herself and Willow to be together and happy. Great up date, pretty intense at points like Tara and Faith discussing her leaving, and how great a warrior Tara is. Faith and the rest of the amazons really don't get it, do they. Wonder what Faith will do with this nice piece of information. We were a little light on the Willow and Tara action, but it's okay, i'll deal with it!

[thebardgirl]

So I've been delaying this for a while, partly because of writer's block, real life and yet again scarey women...but, I swear I'll get my butt back in gear in that I think I have at least two chapters written already...I just need to go over the second again, and I might have a third soon, too. For now here's the first one since the last update.



But first, replies!





tarawhipped- Hmm...somehow I managed to go all the rest of the last month without updating...so we'll call it even? *nervous glance* Hmmmm you're picking up on all the emotional chaos I've given my poor story...horrah. If you don't mind, I can barely comprehend English right now, I blame it on screwed up sleep schedules, so I'll leave the discussion about the deeper side of this story for when I can do it credit. But yes, angst is coming our way...I think....but, but it's good. It's of the good angst. If that's possible...oh damn...another one to run away from me, crying...thanks for reading Cameron. And if you're still there, I hope you like the update.



amazonaa- Hello, I'm glad you liked it and I hope you like this update too...



Shy One- Hello! Sorry for not saying "Hi" again sooner...real life is funny that way...everything will work out for the best in the end...there's just a lot that needs to be dug through first. After that it's green fields and um...puppies? Heh...."angst is what makes a story great." Good Point. That's why I'm always suspicous of fic that seems happy for a while...it's the scarierest thing in the world. I believe ME has trained us to fear happy endings of any kind--I'm so glad I have you or...er...had you as a reader. It's too bad I can't be a responsible writer an' all with the updating and everything...but I haven't stopped, I swear. I just have taken a long time to write and think, and think and then think some more about this story--it's getting too complicated even for me!



LunaMuses-Heh....I'm glad you liked the previous chapter. *snicker* "For two..." I like that...Fa'aith's reaction to Tara and Willow is a little less than "YAY!"...which makes it fun to write and I bet a little painful to read. Heh dark clothing, eh? Well I think I got her to back off. I told her I was really straight--the look on her face was grand. I know, I know, lying is bad...but that look was *priceless* why do I attract the weird ones that need therapy (more than me)??



Artemis- Fa'aith is having issues with Willow...but that's to be expected...I hope Tara is brave for herself as much as for Willow's sake...she needs that strength to pull away...The flashback? Flashback...? Oh! The Flashback...hmmm...read on, my dear Chris, read on!



Spikeizmine87-Heh...hmmm I hope you make you happy again with this update.



Kajun-Heh....good on you, mate! I went through hell and high seas to figure out the timing to this story...you would not believe, it seems I can't remember what I wrote...heh a "sit down with the tribe" ? Good Idea. But swords, spears and knives would have to be left back at the hut--theire might be a few threats made throughout said sitdown. I'd be weary of attending, personally. I hope you don't hate me for Ranthia's belated return (no pun intended...which I realize you won't get until you read this update...so...) Enjoy!



Tempest-Hello! I'm glad you liked the serious as well as the non-serious (make that hilarious, if you want) that I try to mix in every once and a while. And yes, you are loved, although it seems I neglect you too...damn...will try to stop that now. Promise.



YMKA-Marina! You're reading my story again! How quirky is this? I had a line or two that appealed to you? I wonder which ones...thanks for reading and I hope you like the update...



veiled isis-Hmm yeah, Buf' and Fa's faith in Tara is just well...not as much as existant as well, non-existant...I'm glad you liked the update and yes, it is pretty crazy with the tension coming every which way...Heh you want more W/T? Oops...well, that will return some day...not sure when but I know I've written a scene or two involving them so, they will definitely return sometime soon....

You shanked my janga ship!

[thebardgirl]

Chapter 17











Tossing and turning, the blonde had finally woken up with a start to the night; the moon was fully borne within the deep black sky. Buf’aneah and Fa’aithlia were soundly asleep, that is, as much as one could be with the racket coming out of nostrils.



Sweat beaded on the blonde’s brow. It had been so long since she had last experienced that fear, that hatred, that pain. Her mind fluttered with thoughts, nothing totally coming into view until…



Willow…



Retracing her steps in what had happened earlier in the day, a smile crept across her face. Willow had noticed immediately that her mind was preoccupied, and would not rest from finding out what it was. While concentrating on the night’s ritual, Tar’airah kept finding herself being subtly interrogated about what had happened to her. At one point Tar’airah almost mentioned Fa’aith’s name, but caught herself, to the redhead’s dismay. Her bottom lip dipped out below its sister in indignation. The blonde caught the look and almost laughed.



Sometimes, Willow Rosenberg was just adorable.



But Tar’airah would not, nor could not reveal what had been troubling her mind. If what Fa’aith had assumed was true her whole world, as she knew it, would come crashing down for the last time—painfully. The first had been almost unbearable…no, it was unbearable, and had it not been for Thea’s care she surely would have collapsed. So young…so very young, and yet she knew so much pain already.



Her forehead scrunched up in anticipation of the oncoming frown—nothing could get her thoughts away from Fa’aith’s words. Could Willow leave her? Would Willow leave her? What does the outside world have to offer but more pain? Would she be stranded with this sunken feeling forever?



No.



To be alone…to be forced to be alone—that is a cruelty she would never suffer again. When her mother had…died…she never felt so lost. She was just a child, barely four years old, completely incompetent, vulnerable, weak, wanting nothing more than to become the strength her mother had lacked. An internal battle had begun as far back as she could remember. To become what her mother had needed so long ago, only…what did it matter now? There was no satisfaction in more pain.



She had learned that only too well long ago after she had broken one girl’s arm during a sparing event. Tar’airah was only 13 at the time, and it had never occurred to her that such pain, unnecessary pain, could be brought upon someone that didn’t deserve it, by her. So quickly the pain, suffering and anguish that had festered within her spilled out…she sat there, stunned by her own actions as the other girl was carried off crying and cursing Tar’airah’s name. Others swarmed around her, awe-inspired by the quiet girl’s unnatural fighting capabilities. But this is not what she had wanted…she had wanted to be the one to save—not harm.



She was no better than him.



Tar’airah bowed her head at the reoccurring picture—the same picture that had haunted her dreams as a child, the same that had woken her up: A man looming above her head, beating the woman she called home down…tears clang to her face, and nothingness covered her heart at that moment.



Then he knocked her down as well. Incapable of movement from the lack of air, her childish body only stayed still, and quiet—maybe, just maybe her mother would be alright if she stayed quiet. But she only heard what the rain would not conceal: screams, crying and more feet around her as others came, feet, scrambling on the jungle’s ground. And fire. Fire blazed up and everywhere, nothing was left to the dark, a horrific light revealed the brutal scene to her young eyes as she watched her mother fight…and fall.



Momma…







--------------------------







May 8, 1890



The procession was nothing but solemn. Women gathered, slowly, on either side of the makeshift skin stretcher. The body was brought towards the front of the tribe as each face watching tensed with the oncoming tears that were normally forbidden, scoffed at.



But she was one of them.



Destroyed by the hatred and anguish of the outside world. It was a shame, a shame that her body would be the one set for the eternal burning ceremony. Why should some one so beautiful be left to the mourning of her sisters, and the scum of the earth to roam this precious land if not for a few days longer?



And Ranthia was a beautiful woman.



Her dark hair cascaded around her now pale, chiseled face as she was carried towards the awaiting figure. The ceremony would begin soon; Thea was standing—waiting for the body to be brought to her. Every woman, girl, child, and babe present could feel the sinking feeling as it tugged, and pulled on their hearts, down into their bellies.



But no one.



No one.



No one knew the aguish the little creature next to Thea was harvesting. It ate, devouring every sense, every delight, every fond memory—it’s hunger never satiated by her slow death inside. To loose your whole world—and KNOW you could have prevented it, that you TRIED to prevent it—is unbearable. Living and yet, not having a reason to live…she was no better than the man that had done this.



He had reduced her to him.



---------------------



A woman, bloodied and bruised from the previous fight slowly rose. Her body wracked with exhaustion, she jerkily rose to her sore heels.



The flames alerted her to her senses—the sky seemed like it was burning—and yet, they were slowly receding, flashing glimpses as they flickered near the bodies. A man, and a woman. Left for dead, just as she had been.



The howling of the child next to her brought her to reality, as she scooped the little girl into her arms, half falling, half running towards the receding jungle line.



----------------------



Still Thea had said nothing of hunting the man and everything related to him down.



Nothing.



The stretcher lay before her tiny fingers as she grazed the cheek of her family, her life, her home. Silence escalated as the tribe took in a universal breath. Here was the only remnant of Ranthia, the pride warrior. She was such a beautiful woman. She was the world’s beauty. She was everything.



Everything.



Pain, rage, torment, guilt, anger, anguish, love, hate, passion, and disgust swirled within the small child’s body.











Revenge was inevitable.











And Caranthia wanted blood.

You shanked my janga ship!

[thebardgirl]

I told you I'd update....I didn't lie...I didn't!











Chapter 18











“Willow?”



“Tara!” The redhead jumped off her bed in a hurry to meet the blonde halfway through the small room. However, in the process her foot caught unexpectedly on the animal skin, and instead landed roughly on her backside.



“Willow!” The blonde rushed to her side to help the redhead up as she clumsily muffled an “ow.” She’s so cute, and soft… It was hard for the blonde’s senses not to go into super alert mode with Willow near. Everything was louder, everything was bigger, and everything was a lot heavier in the small room.



“I’m okay, I’m okay…” Dork, “I just, you know, lost my footing.” She looked down at her leg and saw what the problem was. It snaked around her ankle and smartly shimmered black in the sunlight.



Damn chain.



“Ugh, it’s the chain, isn’t it?”



“Well…” Just say yes, Willow. Say yes and save some face, “Yeah, the chain, I’m still not used to the one leg act.”



“Here, hold on a second,” Tara disappeared behind the curtain again and just as quickly came back through with a small metal key, “Keep this,” Willow tried to speak up in protest but Tara talked over her sternly, “You shouldn’t be kept locked up, just be sure to be discreet only at night, and only if I, Buf’aneah or Fa—if one of my friends come.”



“Okay…” Willow grasped the key, her fingers slowly curling around the metal, barely touching Tara’s. Okay, that was tingly. The two girls stared up at each other, nervously glancing around.



“So…ritual?”



“Yes,” Tara nodded emphatically: apparently her ability to speak coherently had been heightened in the last five seconds. She had probably scared the poor girl by now.



“What do we do?”



“Well, for this one we finally say our prayers for tomorrow’s fight.”



“Okay!” A smile spread over the girl’s face—prayer, in her mind, meant she got to smear paint on Tara. In what world would she not smile about that?



“What?”



“Oh, nothing, I just, uh…” Bugger. She caught you. She caught you smiling dreamily, you little perve, “I like praying, it reminds me of when I used to go to church with my Nana, although, now that I think about it, I didn’t like going to Church, I only liked it because I got to wear nice clothes, but the sermons were boring. But, prayer, um,,.yay? It’s not like the blood letting, with the drop of blood from each person and well, I prefer praying to pain, in my personal prayer opinion.”



She breathed.



Willow smiled weakly.



Good, I breathed. That means I shut up.



Tara quirked her eyebrow.



Good, she breathed, that means she’s still alive.



“So, isn’t this the point in time in which one of your buddies come in with a question?”



“What?”



“I mean, whenever I manage to sound stupid, at least they’d pull the attention away—but it seems like when I actually need one, none are here to save me.”



“I don’t think you sound stupid,” Tara said stepping closer.



“Oh…” Willow gulped audibly, and Tara did not fail to hear it. “Well then, you’ve yet to hear my dissertation on why Frogs are evil.”



Laughter erupted, and Willow’s smile grew by miles at the sight and sound of Tara’s happiness. She created that. Just her. She had the power to make Tara happy—albeit through laughter—but it didn’t matter.



“No, I don’t think they’ll be bugging us anymore…you noticed, huh?”



“Only every time that I wanted to talk or do anything with you, yes.”



“Well, we have only the last prayer and then I’m all yours to talk or do anything with…”

Willow’s blush was nothing compared to Tara’s at this point, but both girls decided to forget about it.



“Thanks,” Willow blurted out and then with Tara’s confused expression, “For the keys?”



“Oh, well it’s fine, I know it’s not much to get a few feet more…”



“No! It’s everything, I can see now.”



“What?” Tara’s confused expression only added to the glint in the redhead’s eye. She would show her.



Willow knelt down and unlocked her ankle. She righted herself and grabbed Tara’s hand, pulling her over to the small hole cut in the hut.



“I could barely reach the window before, at night the stars are…” she turned and saw Tara staring intently back at her, “…beautiful…” And she was; the starlight was dancing over Tara’s skin, playing with the color of her eyes, and highlighting the deep blue hue of her lips in the night.



A moment slipped in between the two and ever so slightly Willow leaned in.



“Willow?” Tara murmured, “D-don’t you want to see the stars?”



“I do,” she whispered.







------------------------------





A Crack sounded as a figure strode towards the Tree.



A few footsteps and another sounded below and above the woman, her grey hair rustling as she quickly turned towards the angered bark.



“Arboliahe, uhglaj—,” a small prayer in apology was whispered but to no heed. Rumblings could be heard below the woman’s trembling feet.



“Arboliahe, ughlaj iuha—“ she tried again, but the ground would not listen.



A final crack bolted from the sky, and it seemed the Tree moved—a limb crashed down, slashing the woman’s side and knocking her to the jungle’s floor.



She moaned in pain, and slowly drew herself up, slumping away, slowly, clutching her side in pain.



Caranthia….she had to get to Caranthia…and then warn the others…she must warn the others…

















-elizabeth

You shanked my janga ship!

[tarawhipped]

*peeks head into thread, sniffling* Elizabeth? You're really back? Yay! *big hug* Oh...that wasn't intrusive, was it? I'm not one of those 'scary women' am I?



I was just thinking it'd been awhile since you updated, so this was quite a treat. The image of Tara seeing her mother's death was heartbreaking, and yet vividly explains her desire not to inflict more violence in the world, even against those who might 'deserve it.' Was the man her father? It's hard to imagine her mother leaving the tribe for an abusive man, unless he wasn't until later. It would explain the Amazons' anger towards the outside world and men in general that one of their own was enticed to leave (or was she forced? or banished?--I'm making all kinds of assumptions), and then was killed.



The timing of the storms is interesting. I had to go back and re-read everything since I forgot who all the supporting characters were (damn memory loss...uh, what?). When Tara returns from the meeting after the tree burns, Willow said that the rain stopped as soon as Tara left. So are they somehow creating the storms? You know, with all that built up uhhh energy/tension/insert sexual metaphor here. There was a storm when Tara's mother was attacked as well, which angry toddler Tara could have caused? Am I WAY off base here? Though now, just as they're finally about to get with the smoochies, some more (super)natural stuff is brewing??? Do you intensely dislike us or something???



"Good, I breathed. That means I shut up.

Tara quirked her eyebrow.

Good, she breathed, that means she’s still alive"



That was AWESOME! Everyone's thoughts continue to have me and I'm very glad to see you back.

-Cameron

[WickedReds]

WHOA!!! an update... i got two for the price of one...

anyways... chapter 17 was.. well sad... poor tara..Chapter 18.... what's up with the trees... anyways great updates...



-reds



my banana dances for smut

Tara in a wet shirt, Tara in a wet shirt. Tara in. A. Wet. Shirt. “Of course.”-Willow From Remember to Breath By Yellow Crayon

[Spikeizmine87]

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES! TWO UPDATES!!! "runs around like a crazy person" woot woot woot! "calms down"



dude awesome 2 updates! Man Tara and Willow, they're gonna kiss right? Cause the moment is sooo perfect and all! Watching the stars with Tara...come one how cute is that! just awesome....hopefully an update in the next century

-rose

I didnt know what being happy was till i found you, i didnt know what love meant till i loved you.

[LunaMuses]

yay, updates!

better watch this two at a time stuff, might get us all spoiled and such *imagines a mob of fic-withdrawn kittens staggering about...creepy...*



And I think it's fair to write your lie off as justified--in the same realm as the "Does this make my ass look big? Naw, COURSE NOT!" type lies, right? ;P



“Well, we have only the last prayer and then I’m all yours to talk or do anything with…”

...As always, you keep me grinnin'!



Can't wait for more

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics!" - Benjamin Disraeli

[thebardgirl]

Hmmm....look at me! Again with this replying-updating business! I've got some sort of disease these days in which I MUST update...here's hopin' it makes you guys happy.





Oh! Side note: Elizabeth doesn't write smut. It's a fact of life for her, at least, for now...so she's worried this update goes into the relm of which she can not write effectively, or well, for that matter. So, just a pre-warning. I'm no romance novelist. I'm just a kid who likes W/T.







tarawhipped- Yes, yes, I'm really back--WITH A VENGEANCE! I've been writing for like two days straight to give you these updates so very, very quickly. I felt in the mood to write, so I went with it this weekend, and how! *Hugs back gratefully* No, not intrusive. Now, calling me "baby" when we just met like one scary lady did from some seminar that will be left annonymous would be a leetle intrusive...but you! I will hug you any day, and any time!!



Umm...well I'm glad you think this was a treat. How 'bout some more? Yeah....Tara's poor mother...gah...I'm a horrible, horrible person to keep my kittens in pain, but I swear this is going to have good as well as bad in it. I warn you, it'll be angsty! Very, very angsty....but good angsty! And story-progressing-angst is never bad. OOo you've got so MANY good assumptions going for you, but alas, nothing shall be revealed until the end. I like your train of thought, though, on those weird weather events. And that's ALL I'm going to say. *shakes head disaprovingly* Nope. You're not getting anything else out of me. Nope. Not at all--unless there was, you know, bribery involved. And I'm oh-so-happy you like my humor, as well. It's always good to make some one laugh. Alas, I think that is a little rare in this update. But, I hope you enjoy nonetheless.



Thanks, Cameron, once again for reading, and wow! I'm so happy you're still here for me!





WickedReds- I KNOW! AN UPDATE! How weird of me to do that...oop, sorry to make you sad...umm...maybe I should put a disclaimer on this update? "Don't read if you easily cry." Hmm smut...smut...smut....how 'bout almost smut? Is almost smut good?



Spikeizmine87-Whoo! I like the bouncy dudes! Heh....well, how 'bout another update? Seeing as I just typed it up about an hour ago...(it seems there were more chapters to be made in between the original three I made) Hmm...kiss? What kiss? I know nothing of this that you speak of....Hope you enjoy the update.



LunaMuses- heh. I'm glad you're liking the updateage, but don't leave! I have an update (again) for you! Look! It's bright and shiny with W/T moments to boot! Come back! Please?? Damn....lost another...very good, very good, I no longer feel guilt for my wee lie. Grand. Hmmm heh...I'm glad you liked that quote...it was weird to me (didn't sound exactly like Tara...but I couldn't let it go...oh well. Hope you enjoy this update--whenever you get a chance to read it.

You shanked my janga ship!

[thebardgirl]

Chapter 19













A million times Willow played the moment in her mind, wanting it to be true with every day since she had first met the blonde. She would walk forward, or perhaps Tara would…she’d ask, always ask, but the answer would never change and soon they would be melding together, caressing and adoring one another’s mouths, and bodies.



Her hands would slowly slide, memorizing every curve, adoring every ache, bruise or scratch that had ever lived on Tara’s beautiful skin. A million times more had she imagined Tara willingly doing the same to her. And yet, even when you wish for something so strong, and make it as vivid as reality with every dream, it is never the same as real life.



At first Willow couldn’t help glancing quickly up to Tara’s eyes and back down to her mouth—her luscious mouth that was slowly pursing itself. Was this too fast? Did Tara want this as much as her? But soon it was apparent that the blonde’s eyes were no longer open to check with. She was leaning in as well as the starlight slipped off her cheek—her face submersed in darkness heading towards Willow’s.



When eyes could no longer lead and hands couldn’t follow the couple’s senses were heightened. It was all sound, smell…and taste.



It was impossible for the blonde to get enough of Willow’s scent—a sort of spice reminding her of rain, flowers, dew on the morning leaves and warm evenings by a fire all at once. Ever since they first met, she remembered, Tara could smell the girl’s presence. Only now had it occurred to her as all she could smell was Willow. The redhead was surrounding her, suffocating every pore that welcomed the incoming change to the outside world’s harsh and perfume.



Softly brushing, barely touching and a kiss was borne on the lips between the two women.



It was small—a light feel searching for yes, love. Tentative questioning soon transforming into certainty. Lightly enjoying one another’s newfound home moved into stronger brushing, massaging the pains and joys of the world away into happy oblivion. If ecstasy could be interchangeable with insanity then the two had found it: to be so close, and yet not close enough. To tempt and have no remedy for the scratch only made the kiss pulsate—grow fiercely into a stronger force beyond the strength of the two women. Exploring turned deeper, pushing farther—it seemed as though one breathed—stole—the breath from the other as it was becoming impossible to respire.





They broke—if only for a second—and rested brows.



Willow looked up with watery eyes and saw Tara looking back with as much emotion written on her face as hers.



Her hand crept up to Tara’s face, and pulled a strand of blonde down to her fingers, curling and twisting it between digits.



“Please…” Willow’s voice croaked. So long begging, waiting, praying, hoping and desperately wanting…



“Willow?”



“Please don’t leave me.”



It was a simple request.



And yet, Tara thought shrewdly, isn’t that what she was going to do to her? But soon she knew what Willow was really requesting—a companion for the night, some one to keep her warm—inside and out—during the darker hours.



Her brow furrowed; it was hard enough to conceal what was finally uncovered, how would she, how could she keep up the appearance of non-chalant-warrior when she herself wanted to keep Willow close and hold her and goddess this was hard…



“I can’t…” she cracked, too much, it was too much all at once. Her mind raced with images: war, battles, pain, death, fire and then there was Willow. Pure and whole Willow—no substitutions, no worry and no uncertainties.



Willow’s face crinkled in hurt, turning her head down in shame for the impulsive reaction. But she was helpless to the intense feelings that were being shot through her mortal skin. It was all too easy to beg for more…and yet impossible to reach what she desired…not now, anyway.



“I have to keep you safe, remember?” Tara said cupping the girl’s chin, forcing her eyes to look again—liquid forming there.



“Correction, we have to keep each other safe—keep my heart safe Tara? Please? You keep mine a-and I’ll keep yours and we’ll make a pact not to ever let go unless the sky falls and the ground swallows up the world,” Willow said sniffing, “never, ever…”



“Deal. One heart for another, never to be traded back unless sky falls, check,” she smiled at the silliness of it all even as tears escaped her eyes. She caressed the cheek of her love and slicked back the now teary strands of red clasping to the girl’s brow.



“Good…” her nostrils scrunched up in protest of the mucus forming—in all of her dreams this was not how she imagined herself, blubbering and making a mess of herself. And yet, it was perfect: Tara was accepting her, wanting her, and understanding, as always. “Tara…” she was breaking, the reality of the situation sinking in. She was in a death trap, and unable to leave without Tara who was a part of those that wanted her dead. But the Sacrament’s final day…if all would go to plan…it wouldn’t be a matter of death, but escape.



But did she want to leave and in so doing leave what had so quickly become her world?



It would be death.



No matter what she faced death.



“Shsh…” Tara nipped at the girl’s lips and caressed her nose lightly with hers, “It’ll be okay….we’ll get you out…you’ll…” Why am I crying? “…you’ll be safe soon…” Without me...



“No! I-I-I can’t live without—It’s like I’m…I don’t understand half of what has happened to me in the past ten days, all I know is that I at first all I wanted was to go back home and be ‘happy’ again but then you came and now all I want is for you to hold me and stay with me and there’s no way because that’d take you away from your home—“



Just ask, Willow, just ask—and I’ll make a new, better, brighter home…with you.



She looked up, tears sparkling.



She’d never come with me…I can’t ask her to leave all that she knows—I’d never…



“I don’t understand anything and all I really want is you to hold me. Please, just…hold me?” Green eyes of a child sparkled through the woman’s frame, pleading, begging. It was impossible for Tara to comply.



It was a redundant question in that Tara’s arms were already circumventing the redhead’s waist and back. But the blonde clung closer anyway. Neither knew how or when they ended up on the floor, holding onto each other’s arms.



Willow lay peacefully on Tara’s torso as her arms draped over the redhead’s.



For what seemed like a minute—but in reality was over an hour—the two sat, holding onto each other for life, for love and for their homes that slowly were being built on the souls of each other. The blonde leant her head down every once in a while and planted a small kiss on the soft hair below her chin. Willow was softly running her hands up and down the blonde’s arm, tingling every cell of the skin—goose-bumps rose in her fingers’ stead even after an hour.



Questions bogged each mind. But words were useless now. All that held the two together was the balance they created: the world may be chaos—but right now, right here, they had each other.



And that was all that mattered.





----------------------------









May 7, 1890





Running—racing for life—the child ran after her mother. Caranthia ran as the air, sweeping past tree, brush and bush. Her mother was in danger—this she knew from the second she stepped out into the thunderous night--she was the faster girl in the tribe--yet, she felt infinitely running neither gaining nor retreating in pace. Now, as the rain pelted her young skin, the fear could not be satiated—no matter how hard she ran it still was not hard enough; if she wasn’t at her mother’s side, she wasn’t quick enough.



She broke through the opening of the jungle’s mouth and saw a fire crackling, a man stood over a humbled body yelling—screaming. Caranthia waited, terrified shivering through her heavy breaths.



Another figure could be seen through the grass opening—a little girl, around her age, crying obnoxiously, trying to fight off the larger figure of the man.



He was screaming, and slammed his fist into the young girl as the lady that Caranthia was glad to know wasn’t her mother tried to crawl away from the brute. It seemed his anger was impossible to quell.



The little girl was flung to the side so easily—dead, most likely. But Caranthia’s eyes were trained on the face of the woman that was slowly crawling towards her, away from the man. The woman cried out in pain, whimpering, clutching her side. He noticed and walked up to her, shouting all the way in a language her ears did not recognize.



“I SAID LISTEN TO ME WHEN I’M TALKING TO YOU! LISTEN TO ME GODDAMMIT!”



He grabbed at her wrists as he shook her, blood was forming on her cheek where he had last made contact.



“YOU’RE GOING TO LISTEN TO ME IF IT’S THE LAST THING YOU DO!”



And that’s when the woman, Caranthia noticed, finally saw her death—she saw how she would end, in the arms of her husband. But Caranthia also noticed where the woman’s eyes landed: the small figure of her child humbled on the jungle’s floor nearby where the campsite had been formed, no longer moving.



Death was easier, it seemed, with her knowing that her child, her world, had been taken from her. She looked up to the man she once called home, had shared sacred vows with and broke in pain by his hand.



A crack thundered above their heads as Donald MaClay let the woman drop to the ground with his final blow—soon there was a scream, footsteps, and Caranthia saw what she had been waiting fearfully for.



Her mother ran forward, long knife in hand, yelling her powerful war-cry that everyone else in the tribe had learned to fear.



“MUERSA BRAG ISTA!”



Death to evil.



A fight ensued and the man barely kept his footing with the swift woman. Caranthia’s view increased, as her mother cornered him against the back of a tree before her childish eyes. Ranthia triumphantly held her sword high for the final blow that would have been his death—but in that split second, in that millisecond, she saw her only child staring right back at her—fear in her eyes and tears forming where brown shone through.



"Momma..." a whisper escaped her mouth against her will.



That’s when Donald MaClay grabbed the woman’s knife and embedded it in her stomach, the blood left to flow as he pushed the dying body off of his stomach.



That’s when Caranthia’s world came apart—leaving only hatred for his eyes, the eyes that smiled even through death.



Others came…



Figures of the women she grew up with swarmed the area as they saw the product of one man's anger….



But she had to get back to the tribe…if she had stayed…if she had only stayed…maybe if she ran back to the hut as quickly as possible--she was the fastest girl in the tribe--it could be amended, her mother would come back as he promised; she promised. She said she'd be back...if only she had stayed...maybe if she went back now...if she went back as if she never left...maybe her mother would return.



So she ran.



And the rain kept pouring down.

























-elizabeth

You shanked my janga ship!

[Artemis]

Darn, I glance away for a moment and there's three new chapters when I get back. I should glance away more often, if this is what happens



Okay, so I misinterpreted that first flashback more or less completely... still, I'm looking at it as a positive. It humanises Caranthia that she started off so, well, human. I'm really seeing her as a tragic figure now. She's still a bitch, of course, it's just that it's tragic that she's a bitch.



As for Willow and Tar', you weren't kidding about the angst, huh? It's understandable that Tar' is so reluctant to consider leaving her home, given everything she's been through. No matter how difficult it is for her to live with her fellow Amazons, it's not that. But she's only seen the worst the wider world has.



What's going to happen next? I have no idea But I'll be waiting eagerly to find out. Great work.

Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass

A Willow and Tara for every world.

[WickedReds]

I feel sorry for Caranthia now... That was horriable watched her mom killed... poor girl...

Anyways... I'm good with almost smut.... and hey look smoochies...YAY!!!



-reds



my banana dancs for smut

Tara in a wet shirt, Tara in a wet shirt. Tara in. A. Wet. Shirt. “Of course.”-Willow From Remember to Breath By Yellow Crayon

[Spikeizmine87]

YAY FOR A NEW UPDATE! "runs around like a crazy person again" woo! ahh yes they kissed! THEY KISSES THEY KISSED THEY KISSED! I knew they would! You tried to lie, you said they wouldnt be they soooo did! WOOO!!!! Im happy and content

-rose

I didnt know what being happy was till i found you, i didnt know what love meant till i loved you.

[tarawhipped]

---That's what I looked like when I saw yet ANOTHER update (well...except I'm less yellow and wear glasses). You're just a writin' maniac Elizabeth...so I'll save my bribes for inside information (and I'm in Chicago, where we take out bribes VERY seriously ).



Willow and Tara finally letting each other in was a beautiful moment, despite being fraught with uncertainty for the future. I've been assuming Tara would leave with Willow, but this was the first time it occurred to me that Willow might stay, tho I have no idea how that'd work. It would probably require a whole overthrow of the current Amazon leadership, or at least Caranthia and Perhamia (which wouldn't be a bad thing).



As for Caranthia's story, I agree with everyone that it's very sad, and explains her rage a bit. BUT I just found myself getting really pissed off that she seemingly holds a grudge against Tara because Tara's asshole dad killed Caranthia's mother in addition to Tara's. If that's not what she's doing, please extend my apologies to her before I get hauled off and thrown in a dank prison hut.



-Cameron

[LunaMuses]

I hope you got a mop, cause I'm melting all over the place

I think you wrote that chapter wonderfully ^^



It's also nice to know this new side to Caranthia's story. Well...maybe not nice, but I think you know what I mean...



And don't worry, I'm not goin' anywhere! ^^



*wonders if the streak will last*

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics!" - Benjamin Disraeli

[thebardgirl]

Hey Kittens! I'm just an updating fiend! Alas, I must say that there will be another stall for a bit--if not a while. I have a midterm tomorrow...and well....*GULP*....and so, I'm not going to be writing as insanely fast as I have been for the past three days. SO, enjoy this update!! (it's the last of the group I went and wrote on Sunday)





But first, (as always) replies!





Artemis- Yuppers, I can be very, very unexpected in my writing spurts...I'm crazy like that. But now, at least, you have fair warning for any updatey goodness. I'm warning you as of now. UPDATE! Okay? Okay? Heh...yeah, when you said "Ranthia = Tara mom" a part of me was going, "YES! I'm THAT good at concealing the twist!" and another part of me was going, "CRAP! I'm REALLY bad at being clear!" So....it's all good. I'm just glad you now know the truth. Yup, Caranthia is most definitely a tragic hero. She's like Larry what's-his-name from Death of Salesman. The true horror/sadness we get from her story is that she caused it. Man...that just sucks, don't it?



Oop. W/T angst. I must have something to do with that, don't I? Hmmm....loss of home? feeling sore even after 16+ years? confused about love? Hmmm....well then, you've come to the worst place for advice, cause how the hell should I know what you want, goddammit? OOp. Sorry, Chris, got off subject...won't do it again, I promise. Umm....*nervous glance*...update? Update. *mumbles* I shouldn't have been a write, math...I was good at math as a kid...





WickedReds-YOU feel sorry for Caranthia? Man, I feel sorry for Caranthia. I mean, I did this to her...that's gotta be double guilt points for me. Hmm...yes, yes, good, good you didn't hate my "kiss" scene. I'm all with the bad there...but hey! You "YAY!!"-ed me. So i'm good to go. Hope you enjoy the update!



Spikeizmine87- heh....can I get that same reaction again? Umm....well, I'm glad you liked the update...and I never lied...I just temporarily misplaced information in my head....how is that lying? Hope you like the update!



tarawhipped-Soo....can you make that face again? And hey! Chicago? I have a friend from Chicago...or...was...in...Chicago--she's now living with me. Wait...that didn't come out the way I wanted it to. What I meant to say is that we're in the same dorm and she used to live in the same place as you. Yeah...that's it. Heh....uncertainty on both sides. Boom! I can make it happen! Just leave me at 'em for a while and I can make anyone uncertain! Wait...I'm not sure that's necessarily a compliment to me...damn. Okay, *feels awkward* new subject...



Caranthia? Hmm...she's certainly got issues. And you bring up an interesting idea. You say she blames Tara for her mother's death? Hmm....course, my other question for you as my fabulous reader is how does this connect to the whole thunder/lightning thing? I mean....there's her personal anger...and then the more anti-weather-anger. Hmmm....sorry, I don't mean to quiz you on my story (that's just cruel) but, I like the way you read my stuff--makes me feel like I'm not writing utter folly. And HEY! If anyone is to get hauled off to a scarey prison hut, it should be me for not updating in so long. I mean, what? It's been almost a DAY. *smacks self* Besides....if Willow gets to be (wo)manhandeled by Tara, does that mean all other captives get to, too?



Thanks, Cameron, it's a pleasure to write for you.







LunaMuses- Dude! You need a mop? Urk...um....*grabs sister's hair* How's this? Will this work? Dude! That's so sweet of you to say--err...write. But dude, writing "wonderfully" isn't um....well, it's all from the beholder of the writen word, I guess. I felt like I was going into Soap Box mode--but only sometimes. It's all relative....Heh...and I'm glad you like Caranthia's half of the story...I felt she deserved more than "evil bitch!" But now I've dug a hole in which I'll have to pull myself out of...damn!













umm....*smiles weakly*.....





-elizabeth

You shanked my janga ship!

[thebardgirl]

Chapter 20









Willow had been tired for the whole day. Waking up achey made it hard for the redhead to be refreshed and ready. But then Tara came and…there was the kiss…



The moon was slowly rising above her head outside of the small hut. Her leg was no longer latched—Tara gave her the key to use at will—so she was able to finally look out the window…



She said I could see the stars now…



Yet Tara’s eyes were far more beautiful to her; they reminded Willow of the universe above her head far more than a few measly stars. They sparkled deep blue, tempting the redhead to fall into them. It was impossible not be fascinated, and yet they were untouchable, the she was a great mystery…she could sense there was pain hidden within the sapphire. Yet it was impossible to get near, Tara would have to be the one to let her in—and it felt like everyday that became impossible.



She wouldn’t even tell me what had made her upset…



But tomorrow was the last day…



She hadn’t even told Tara that she wanted her to come with her--she left in a hurry after their time together, something about going to see some one...the name she said...it did end in an "a," that she knew.



And that narrows the selection down by zero...



Willow had tried to ask her; she had planned a monologue that involved a small chart she could draw in the floor with a stick she found on same said floor. But then the blonde walked in and all was forgotten—as usual.



She wouldn’t want to come with me anyway, hello! Rude! We just met six days ago. So, of course you’d want to run away with me. Stupid. It’s just stupid.



But Willow wouldn’t admit that she was at the same time concocting another monologue that involved bribes of real sketch books, food that wasn’t alive ten minutes ago, and beds with feathers for insides—instead of wood.



Would she want to go, though?



Anyone in her right mind would prefer goose to oak.



But would she want to go with me?



Tomorrow…tomorrow she’d ask…that is, if she survived the last day…



She touched her lips again and she was reminded for the one thousand and seven hundred and seventy first time that night.





------------------





Tomorrow.



Caranthia had been preparing her armor for the past several hours, making ready for battle. If the tribe wished to diminish what she had worked so long to create, all the better that she go down fighting. But, perhaps she could destroy what was causing everything to go wrong…then they’d see, then they’d see how she was protecting them. She would not turn against her tribe so readily, no. Better fight the usurper before going on total offense.



Tomorrow…



Tomorrow would be the final day of the Sacrament. Tar’airah would finally have to show her true colors.



Blood doesn’t betray.



Hers had been bubbling for so long, so long. But you can’t kill what others love. Not tactfully, anyway.



So she waits—She has waited for too long.



Her day of vengeance had finally come.



--------------------------





“Yes, Perhamia, what is it?”



“Caranthia, you told me it was nothing…” The older woman was walking in slowly, as if it was unnatural to walk.



“Perhamia…?” The younger brunette paid no attention to the figure, as usual, until she saw the reflection of the woman stumbling forward in her shield, “what’s wrong?”



The woman wouldn’t answer right away. She walked forward, practically lunged for a grasp of the young brunette’s arms, “You told me it was nothing…just a slip in the weather….’nothing’, you said…”



“What?” The brunette was starting to get agitated. She looked over the woman’s trembling body, and she could see scars, bruises on the woman’s face and arms.



“The walls—they’re breaking…”



“WHAT?! How is that possible? You’re lying!”



An eerie sound slowly sunk into the small hut—a slow, dying giggle from the older woman.



“So that’s what you were trying to hide…” Perhamia coughed violently with her small chuckle, Caranthia noticed a speck of blood slowly growing on the rim of her lower lip, “You, above all, should know magic can only conceal, it can never undo what the world has decreed…and now it has erupted in anger…it will come for you too…”



“Perhamia, I order you to—“



“To what?” She coughed again, unable to control the shaking any longer, “My body will be only one of the clues left for them to find. They will recognize the marks, they will know to find the trees…see my blood…”



The brunette stared on in fear at the woman.



“Remember this face…Caranthia….” She wheezed, “this is the face you shall wear one day…death will come for you too…Goddess, I have paid my debt, let me die in---“ the woman hacked and blood dribbled down her chin, “…peace…” as she slowly sagged in the brunette’s arms.



Caranthia stared for a split second and let the body drop to the ground in disgust.



One night.



She only had to wait one more night, after all these years…and she would stop it.



She would stop her…and what had already begun...



She would stop it.



Tomorrow.

















-elizabeth

You shanked my janga ship!

[WickedReds]

Yeah ur kiss scene was fine...So Caranthia wants revenge on Tara... Mmmmm well now that just sucks... Willow wants Tara to go with... Well something big is going to happen... Which i hope is not to bad.. and she'll go with... i hope... great update... i'm still in shocks-ville after seeing so many...



-reds



my banana dances for smut

Tara in a wet shirt, Tara in a wet shirt. Tara in. A. Wet. Shirt. “Of course.”-Willow From Remember to Breath By Yellow Crayon

[LunaMuses]

ooo, midterms are scary. I just got through (most) of mine...wouldn't it all be a lot less scary if they just CALLED it a "test" and counted it as a midterm when they *grade* it?...



*tosses down a rope ladder* it'll be easier to get out of the hole? ^^'



bummer, your writing binge seems to have stopped right before the big climax! XD darn. oh well. I'll be waiting ^^



Good luck on your TESTS!! (see, not as scary )

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics!" - Benjamin Disraeli

[Kajun]

Umm.. I thought they met 10 days ago? Anyhoo.. I probably have this totally wrong but.. I think Caranthia is trying to “protect” the tribe, (but actually herself,) from what she believes Tar’ represents: change, acceptance, and forgiveness. Nice twist with Ranthia, btw. The whole conversation after stargazing and smooching was completely heart-wrenching. Arg. Are you taking cues from School Days or Neverland or something?? Note to Tar’ and Willow: just ask.. sheesh. Hmmm.. four updates posted in wha— two days? Nice roll. Keep the momentum going… Good stuff.

[tarawhipped]

Hi Elizabeth! I think you've cracked under the strain of midterms...lay off the caffeine and get some sleep, okay? Yes, I can make that face again... ...cause with yet another update it's become permanently stuck that way (I hate it when my mother's right). You do make a good point about being thrown in Amazonian prison...so as long as I can get Tara for a jailor I'll go quietly.



As for connecting Carathia's vengeance to the weather stuff, that is not my job. I'm just here to throw out wild theories and say 'hmmm...interesting' so that I sound intelligent. YOU have to connect the dots. And I noticed Caranthia's getting ready for some vengeance against the 'usurper,' so I'll stand by my vague assumptions. And hey--bonus! Now that Perhamia's gone, Tara doesn't have to worry about the old lech ogling her anymore! So what's the chance that the big final day of the ritual will be done in one update?



-Cameron

---

What should I be but just what I am? - Edna St.Vincent Millay

[Shy One]

Hi Elizabeth!

Sorry I haven't left any feedback in a while, but I have a good excuse.

The power supply in my computer blew up (literally) so I've

been without my computer for 3 weeks!

I only just got it back tonight. It's been absolute torture not being able to keep up with the stories on the kittenboard!

Wow!! All the updates have my head spinning! All I can say right now is that things are getting really interesting. So, Caranthia watched her mother die........and if I'm not mistaken, I believe it's also her fault. Her mother hesitated when she saw her which allowed that jerk, McClay, to kill her AND with her own weapon. What a horrible thing to have to live with. That explains a lot about her.

I really loved the updates and I can't wait for more!



Shy One

[Artemis]

Looks like a showdown is in the works



And this:

"Willow had tried to ask her; she had planned a monologue that involved a small chart she could draw in the floor with a stick she found on same said floor."

had me in giggling fits. That's so Willow A classic line.

Chris Cook

Through the Looking-glass

A Willow and Tara for every world.