Tiger's Blood

I wake up in a cold tree with a warm body pressed up against mine. How did I get in a tree? Wasn’t I in a cave? My memory has gone to rust since the quake. I’m not even sure what has happened in the past twenty-four hours. After the quake, I ended up freezing cold from the snow; I couldn’t move a finger. My head throbbed and hurt a lot while I was alone. The only part I remember was when Noah found me. I do remember a Wolf Blood coming into the cage. What other Wolf do I know besides Noah? Normally, I have the best memory ever. I could remember stuff back when I was two years old. Now I can’t quite picture it quite as well as I could before. I also remember when Noah kissed me.

I’m not even sure that I have feelings for him at all. Well maybe I do. I do remember kissing him back though. Noah is very sweet and kind, but he is also a big distraction for me. He can get to be a real pain in my ass, yet he is quite helpful at times. Guys can be stupid and annoying though. All I know is that Noah really cares for me and he is loyal and protective. Unlike Ethan who keeps disappearing. Do I have feelings for Noah? And if I do, what feelings? I trust him; he is helpful; and he is very passionate towards me.

Oh Ethan, I hope he’s safe. I hope he isn’t doing anything stupid. Splitting up like this makes me really nervous. I know being the most powerful Blood in the world should be all about being fearless and strong, but I’m not like that at all. I get nervous and frightened a lot. Ethan better be loyal and keep his mouth shut. I may not show my emotions much, but I do feel fear. Everyone feels emotions differently. Fear, love, hatred, happiness—any emotion—everyone feels things differently. It doesn’t matter if I am the most powerful, most intelligent, or wealthiest Blood in the world, we all feel emotions differently. My fear is losing my family. I already lost my mother, father, and sister tragically, but to me, there is family all around. Noah and Ethan, maybe other people we meet on the way, everyone is my family, and family sticks together through the toughest times.

I stretch my arms out and look down at the ground. I look over and catch Noah watching me. “What are you looking at?” I ask. “I’m looking at you, silly. Sorry we are in a tree, but the snow started falling quickly and we were getting snowed in the cave. I left you sleeping and dug us out then carried you up into this tree. The snow died down after that. Did you know you are a really deep sleeper? It’s interesting,” Noah smiles. “I slept through all of that?” I gasp. Noah nods. “That’s alright, you looked adorable sleeping, but are you feeling alright now?” he asks. “Yes, I feel better. I think we better get traveling soon before the snow starts falling again,” I say. “Hold on let me jump down first,” he says.

Noah jumps down steadily and brushes off a few leaves from his clothes. “Let me help you down little Tiger,” Noah says. “Alright, you helped me once Noah and I thank you for that, but you don’t need to go all out for me. I can handle myself. Just like you said, I’m a little Tiger. Tigers are strong and powerful,” I laugh. “Yes, but this certain little Tiger was weak and cold when I found her. Therefore, I will help this little Tiger until she is better. Please, let me help you,” he says. I giggle then hop down. Noah catches me then places me on the ground. “Thank you Noah,” I look up at him. He leans in and kisses my head lightly. “No problem little Tiger,” he smiles.

We walk for about an hour when I don’t recognize the area around us. “Noah?” I ask him. He turns to face me. “Yes, what is it? Are you ok? Do you need anything?” he asks rather quickly. “I was just going to ask if you know where we are going,” I say and chuckle. “Ummmm….Maybe?” he says. I laugh at him and I stop walking. “You have no idea!!” I say hysterically. “Alright miss Tiger Blood, then you tell me where to go,” he says sarcastically. “Alright, and don’t call me a Tiger Blood so loudly. There could be somebody listening to us,” I say.

We have been walking all day without knowing where to go, fantastic. I nudge him out of the way and I feel the ground beneath my feet. I look around and notice the grass seems greener than they should be. The plants should be turning brown when it gets cold, especially the grass. I bend down and rub some grass lightly. “This feels a bit strange. I feel as if we are so close, but I can’t put my finger on it,” I say.

“Here how about we stop for the night ok? You need rest. You hit your head pretty hard when I found you,” Noah says then taps my forehead lightly. “Wait… I hit my head?” I ask him. “Yeah, don’t you remember? You started mumbling strange things as you slept. You have a little bump right here,” he says and digs his fingers through my hair. He stops and put his index finger on a swollen part of my head. I touch that part and throb in pain as I touch it. “So that’s why I’m having trouble remembering stuff,” I sigh loudly and Noah puts his finger on my chin and raises my head. “Hey, you’re fine now and we found each other again. That’s all that matters,” he says with a reassuring smile.

“I guess we can stop and take a break,” I say. We keep walking until we find a nice, open field of grass. I get on my back and look up at the stars. Noah does the same thing and he puts his arm around my waist. The stars are shining brightly tonight. I wish I could go up and see the stars. “Hey Noah?” He turns to me. “Yeah?” he replies. “Do you ever think that there could be other Bloods out there beyond the stars?” I ask. “Well, there could be other creatures out there. I don’t know if they would be Bloods like us. Why do you ask?” he says. “I don’t know I’m just curious.” I say.

I turn to face him and I look into his light brown eyes then he smiles. He kisses my lips softly then backs away. “Do you remember that from last night?” he asks me. “Yes, I do remember that,” I say and smile. We kiss once more then I wrap my arms around him. “Goodnight my little Tiger,” he says then kisses my forehead. Maybe I do like Noah. He hasn’t done anything for me to doubt him. I say nothing and bury my face in the crook of his neck and fall fast asleep.

I wake with a cold shiver down my spine. I crawl away from sleeping Noah, and I stand up and stretch my arms out above my head. I turn around when something catches my eye. I walk over to a green bush, and I touch the leaves lightly. Huh, this bush is darker than the one next to it. I step into the darker bush when my foot sinks into the ground. What? Why is there a hole underneath this bush? I groan loudly, and Noah wakes up. “Kira?” he asks. “Noah help me I’m stuck!” I yell at him. He stands up quickly and runs over to help. He grabs my waist and pulls me out of the bush.

I pant softly and he looks at me curiously. “What happened?” he asks. “I was just looking at this strange bush and I fell into it. I think there’s a hole under the bush,” I explain to him. He walks over to the bush and he looks into it. “This bush is artificial,” he tells me. “I thought it looked different. Who would make a fake bush though?” I ask.

“I don’t know. We live in a world of forests and lakes, it doesn’t make sense for someone to make fake trees and bushes,” he says. He picks up the fake bush and pushes it aside. A large deep hole appears beneath it. “What do you think is down there?” Noah asks me. I don’t know but I want to find out. “Let’s find out,” I say and stick my feet down in the hole. I grab my sword and sling it around my shoulder.

“Whoa hold on, hun. We don’t know what’s down there,” he says worried. That’s why we go down into the hole and find out dumbass. He places his hand on my shoulder and I look up at him annoyed. “Kira, I can’t stand to lose you again,” he says. “C’mon Noah, I feel very confident about this just trust me,” I say. He blinks his eyes then shakes his head. “No, I’m not letting you down there,”

He crosses his arms. I roll my eyes at him then crawl down the hole. “Kira!!!” He screams angrily. I laugh and fall down smoothly in the dark hole. Sorry Noah. My curiosity is getting the best of me. I look around and see lightly lit torches along the walls of this underground cave. Huh, why are there torches in a hole underground? Is someone else down here?

I listen as Noah falls down the hole after me. He stands up and brushes dirt off of him. “Kira, why don’t you listen to me? You could get hurt. We don’t know what could be down here,” he says angrily. I hear voices talking in the distance and I stop to look down the tunnel. “Are you even listening to me??” Noah grabs my shoulder. “Shhhh, shut up!!” I whisper to him. I look down the tunnel and Noah grabs my hand tightly. I look to him and he gives me a stern look. “Don’t let go of my hand, I’m not leaving you here alone in a dark tunnel,” he whispers. “Fine,” I say and we walk hand in hand down the hallway.

We walk for a short amount of time when we reach the end of the tunnel. So the hole under the fake bush leads to an underground tunnel, which leads to a dead end? People walk by from left and right in different paths. A few people stop and stare at Noah and I curiously. A man whispers to the woman next to her and she nods then runs off. Who are these people and why do they live underground? Other people glare and give Noah and I eerie looks. “Kira…” Noah says softly.

I turn and see two large men in armor heading straight for us. Noah steps in front of me then mutates. “Noah kill them!” I yell before he attacks the two men. I take Bloodshed out of her case and quickly follow the two men and Noah. I finally reach them when four arms grab my body. I turn around to the men, and I swing my sword sharply cutting off their fingers. I laugh as they shriek in pain.

More strong men try to grab me, but I quickly stab them in the chest. The other men flee along with the rest of the people. I turn around and see Noah hiding in a corner. I grab him by his fur and pull him out of the corner, and he winces in pain. “Come on Noah we have to follow them!!” I scream at him. His ears fall down and he whimpers. I start walking and he limps behind me. All of a sudden Noah barks and I turn to see that he was being taken away by more guards. “Noah!!” I yell and run back. I lost sight of him when three men startled me and I drop my sword. I squirm and shake but they had a tight grip on me.

Mutate Kira mutate! Kill them before they kill you! They soon stop and open a shiny silver door and walk into a dark room. They drop me on the floor then close the door behind them. Don’t mutate. They might kill me. Control yourself and don’t be stupid. I hear a loud groan and human Noah steps out from the darkness. I run over and he wraps his arms around me tightly. He kisses my forehead then my lips then he backs away. “I’m sorry Kira…” he whispers in my ear. “No it’s my fault, I should have listened to you. I didn’t know it was dangerous down here,” I say. He runs his hands down my back when the door opens again. A tall figure walks in the room chuckling.

“Hello, isn’t it nice for you to join us down here in the Lion’s Kingdom,” the deep raspy voice says. Wait, the Lion’s Kingdom has been underground this whole time? How is that even possible? I look up at him, but I can’t see his face clearly. The lights then turn on brightly. “My name is Andrew,” he says then holds out a hand to me. Go fuck yourself King Andrew. I stare at him and grit my teeth. I spit on the ground in front of him and growl deeply as Noah pulls me back.

“Why are we locked up?” Noah asks. “Well, I would like to know who our mysterious guests are who came in and started killing my people,” Andrew says. “I’m Noah, and I’m a Wolf Blood.” Andrew nods then walks closer to me. He examines my frail body and chuckles to himself. “And who’s this lovely young woman?” He asks. I look him straight in the eyes and frown. “No one of your concern,” I say.

“Well, I believe this is my concern. I don’t want two rebels in my kingdom,” he says. “We aren’t rebels,” I say. That’s a lie, we are technically rebels. “Hmm, well you certainly are a special girl aren’t you?” he laughs. Special is one way to put it. “Fuck off,” I say sharply. “Kira be polite. He is a King,” Noah whispers behind me. “Oh I’m so sorry, please fuck off your royal highness,” I say again then bow to him. “Kira!” Noah snaps. The man grabs my arm and brings me closer to him.

“A little snippy now are we young lady?” he laughs. I pull my arm away. “Don’t touch me,” I say. He takes a step back and continues laughing. “You better start being more respectful sweetheart. You are talking to a King. If you want to survive here you both will listen to me and behave. Another one of those outbursts and I’ll cut that pretty little tongue out,” he laughs then locks the door behind him. “King Asshole. That should be your new nickname,” I whisper to myself before Noah and I went to sleep.