” You really don’t know? Or is this another of your dirty games? ” Nanako asked.
” Believe me, I am not lying. Tell me what happened that day? ” Jin looked Nana in the eyes . A stern and determined look.
Nanako told him about their night together, how they were drugged and the conversation she had overheard. She told him everything. As he listened to Nana’s words, his eyes popped open. It got redder as her narration progressed. He could not hold back his tears as Nanako teared up, narrating the pain and embarrassment she had been through.
” Nana. Believe me. I swear on my ancestors, I did place the stupid bet, but I had clearly told them and walked out of it the moment we returned from our starry trip. My feelings towards you are genuine Nana. I had no part or knowledge about the mischief of my mates. I am sorry Nana for violating you. I have no recollection. But I apologize to you with my whole heart and am willing to take any punishment you want for me. I am madly in love with you Nana. I could not even bare to go back home after seeing you breaking down that day. I couldn’t help but follow you here. Today when I thought I was about to loose you, I could feel my world coming to an end. I am sorry Nana for all the pain I have caused. I really am. ” He went down on his knees as he begged her.
Nanako could feel his sincerity. She could not bring herself to see him in that state. And the fact that the misunderstanding between them was over, have her an immense sense of relief. She finally smiled from her heart. She too bent down beside him, and hugged him, as she whispered in his ears ” Honestly, I too have liked you since the day I first say you. When that liking turned to love, I didn’t know. As for that night, you did not violet me, I was willing. But the fact that you had used me, was destroying my soul from inside out. Today, I finally find solace. ” She closed her eyes on his shoulder. He stood up, looked at her closely and then pulled her to himself and held tight. He kissed her head.
” Ahhhmmm! Aaahhmm! ” Their companion had returned already. They quickly broke apart. Both sat looking at the other and smiling foolishly. The man got the supper ready in no time.
” Here comes the meal. Jump in” He invited the two.
As the three of them ate they talked about the events of the day. The man clearly didn’t know Nanako’s identity and definitely didn’t know anything about Jin as well. It worked well for them so they kept it that way.
” But what was that beast that had appeared in the cave? I have never heard about it all my life in these woods. Didn’t it look like wolf? ” The man asked.
The question made Jin drop his meal . He sat there lost in thought and suddenly rushed out of the cave.
” Aye. What’s up with him? Did I say anything offensive? ” He asked Nana. She nodded her head agreeing that he didn’t say anything offensive.
“I will go check on him” She said as she stood up. But immediately stumbled and fell.
“Careful miss. Your legs just got unfrozen, be careful, you are still not fully recovered” He said.
” I will be ” She smiled and went out behind Jin.
He was standing at the edge of a cliff, pondering over something with his hands.
“Jin, what happened? ” Nana aske das she came upto him.
” Nana, the beast we had seen in the cave, was our ancestral spirit protector. It only appears when somebody from our imperial family is in grave danger. ” He said, worried.
” Oh! I see. But you weren’t in any danger today. We’re you? ” Nanako observed.
“Exactly. I wasn’t. I wasn’t even there when it appeared ” Jin said.
” So? ” Nana wondered.
” So, it must have come to save someone else from the imperial family at that place. ” His voice was indicating something.
” But there wasn’t anybody from the wolf tribe there. Was there anyone. Wasn’t it just me it was pulling ” Nanako was still clueless where the conversation was headed.
“Exactly Nana. It was there to save you. ” Jin’s voice was at the point of cracking.
” Me? Why would that be? Did it mistake me for a wolf? ” She asked.
” It’s a spirit protector Nana, it cannot commit mistake. It was there to save you but not exactly you. Something, rather someone belonging to the wolf family, now entrusted in you. ” He paused. And it was a deadly pause. Nanako’s brows were arched with strain as Jin completed his sentence with much effort ” Nanako , are you pregnant? ”
They both kept looking at the others the world seemed to spin around them. Words were lost. Nanako’s hands reached her middle. She looked down at it and then looked up at Jin and then repeated his words ” Am I pregnant? ”
Mia was looking at the lady with her eyes wide open. Her mouth was open wide as well. The lady reached her to close it for her. Mia held her baby bump with her hand and said ” If this is true, my baby is not the first one to be born between the tribes. ” She said as she smiled wide. A sense of relief and optimism swept through her. ” There is hope for my baby then. Tell me what happened next! What happened to their child? Where is this child? Why does nobody know about it? Tell me please tell me all. ” She begged her with eyes filled with tears of happiness.
” The reason my dear child, nobody has heard about their child, is because it is dead. Killed mercilessly soon after it came to this world” She said as she held Mia’s hand, which was shaking violently at the revelation.
“Killed? ” She could barely utter the words.
“Yes. Mercilessly killed by people related to him by blood. ” The woman’s eyes too were red with tears building up, as she told Mia about the fate of the baby she was so hopefully optimistic about.