38A/N: Hi all!
It is finally here. I promise to ALL of you John Smith/Pocahontas shippers (myself included!) that there will be some fluffy, heart-to-heart and long overdue interaction between the couple in the next chapter. This just seemed a good place to end it for the moment. Chapter 7 should be quickly on its way because I've recently gotten a lot of inspiration for this story. As always, if anyone has any suggestions, ideas, thoughts and such feel free to leave them in a review or send me a private message. Reviews keep this going and I motivated for sure! I really appreciate them so much!
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing.
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Chapter 6:
"Where is she?"
A young warrior jumped in surprise as Hassun stormed into the prisoner's hut where they had been kept the night before, "Where is Nakoma?"
It took a moment for one of the men to quickly answer, "I don't know I saw her go with Pocahontas."
The future leader sighed, "They could be anywhere by this time."
"I am certain Nakoma would not leave our land," the man stated as Hassun folded his arms across his chest. A moment of silence fell in the hut before the man spoke again.
"If I may be so bold Hassun you were the one that ordered us to release the men and treat them before your father were to have them executed…-"
"Why would I do that? Where did you hear that ridiculous order?"
Kanen, one of the best warriors replied, "Nakoma commanded us to release them. She said the command came directly from you and that the reason…-"
"I don't care about the ludicrous reason she gave! The point is that you, all of you disobeyed me and my father. You listened to a woman! A foreign woman at that! I should have you all beaten right along with her! What evil spirit possessed you to!-"
"Hassun," the man was interrupted by a voice coming from the entrance. He took a deep breath in order to calm himself before he turned to face whoever would intrude.
"What is it?" He snapped as he glared at the visitor in the doorway.
"I am here to inquire if your father needs his medicine or if he is skipping it today," Tuka stated flatly as he was careful not to farther enrage the young man.
"Yes," the warrior replied as he turned to face his men once more.
"Hassun," Tuka began as he entered the hut, "If I may speak I must say that your wife's actions last night were very wise. Although she did disobey you and I am certain you will deal with her insubordination her tactic to grant us more time in order to gather the men we will need for this has succeeded."
The other scoffed, "She did not do it to stop the pending war she did it to save Pocahontas's husband. You are a fool if you believe otherwise."
"Young man," Tuka's eyes narrowed, "I am warning you to listen. I am advising you to not only hear from the warriors you have under your control but to listen to the earth. Hear the wind and your heart for I fear you are losing sight of them. I can feel it; do not be so quick for war. I believe the events of last night were an opportunity for.-"
"Tuka…"
"These pale ones will not leave."
He then exited the hut as Hassun cleared his throat and blinked at the empty space that the old medicine man had just occupied.
"We must do something," Kanen said as Hassun nodded, "That old man is speaking in riddles. He tells us Nakoma was successful in getting us more time and then he is telling us not to fight."
"One thinks he should vacate his position," another man snickered.
"I am going to find them," the future leader firmly stated as he left the structure and headed in to the forest as thoughts swirled in his head. On one hand he had his father who was very persuasive in rallying the men for battle and he was a man that truly knew how to lead in all situations. However, Hassun knew that more pale ones would soon be entering the lands that separated the two tribes thus pushing his people beyond the ancient boundaries. Yet, if the tribes to the north, east and west could band together and defeat the Powhatans along with the white settlers to the south than perhaps things could return to normal and better than before.
"Yes," the man thought out loud as he neared a grove of oak trees where he could see two figures in the distance, "Yes, this war is for the greater good unless…"
It was the issue of weapons and resources that crossed the young warrior's mind as he neared the couple in the clearing.
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Nakoma wrung her hands nervously, "Apparently you are not hearing or understanding what I am saying to you. These people want to fight."
"Listen to me," Pocahontas started as she paced, "If my father can work a peace treaty with the settlers I am certain that we could perhaps reform the treaty where it includes the Massawomacks. All we need is a little compromise and…-"
The native woman's voice trailed off as a figure stepped out of the trees and faced the two friends
"I do not feel that women should be discussing such a topic."
"You," Pocahontas snapped as the woman glared at the man that now stood in front of them, "How dare you!-"
As quick as lightning flashes across the sky the younger woman held the other's arm in order to keep her from striking the man, "My friend please remember what we just talked about."
"Yes," Hassun mocked, "Are you not called the lady of peace? Or, is that only for the pale ones?"
"The pale ones did not try to kill my husband," Pocahontas angrily retorted.
Nakoma lowered her eyes as she softly questioned, "What were you thinking?"
"You," he snapped as his cold gaze fixed on her, "Hold your tongue."
"Is that how you speak to your wife?"
The man's expression became more irate as he moved closer towards Pocahontas, "You need to mind your own business."
"Hassun," Nakoma began as she released her friend's arm while taking a step towards her husband, "If I were you I would watch how you talk to Pocahontas. After all, you tried killing her husband and his companions who were coming in peace. What do you think Powhatan would do if he found out that his son-in-law and others were attacked by our tribe instead of a fictitious one?"
"This has nothing to do with you! You should have stayed out of it!"
"No!" Nakoma's shout surprised them all as a period of silence fell between the three people in the clearing.
"No," she shook her head before continuing, "This has everything to do with me. This has everything to do with us. Hassun please, I am begging you to reconsider what you are thinking of doing. If not for me for…"
The woman lowered her eyes as she swallowed the lump in her throat.
"I am doing this for you," her husband said as he neared her under Pocahontas's watchful gaze, "If we cannot eradicate these demons from our lands there will come a time we will not have anything to place our foot upon. You are part of my people."
"I can promise you that will not happen.-"
"Hassun," Nakoma quickly interjected as his glare settled on the older woman.
"No," he moved closer, "I have something to say to you. I tolerate you because you are Nakoma's best friend. However, I do not do any sort of business with traitors."
"What are you talking about?"
"If you have to ask it is not worth answering. Nakoma and I are going back to the village."
"No, I do not understand what you are getting at. The reason the Powhatans have a successful treaty with the whites is the same basis for why we have such an agreement with you."
"That is not the same. Nakoma let us go now."
The man harshly said as he turned and walked a few steps while the woman glanced between the two of them.
"H-Hassun please just think of a possible treaty. That is all I desire from you. I know why your convictions are so strong but my husband…-"
"Nakoma…"
"You are not your father."
"I am the future leader of the Massawomack people," he stated matter of fact as a determined expression lit his countenance.
"Yes you are," the woman stated as she moved closer towards the warrior, "You are smart, kind, loyal, an excellent fighter and persuasive. You desire only the best for your people."
Pocahontas gazed on in amazement as Nakoma touched his cheek, "A leader must have all these attributes and yet you are lacking an essential quality."
"What is that?" He inquired as Nakoma sighed.
"It is the ability to make your own decisions."
"You better watch yourself," Hassun sharply replied, "I realize why you did what you did for you are a compassionate woman and I know you deeply care for Pocahontas. However, you and I have a lot to talk about."
Nakoma glanced back at her childhood friend, "I will be alright. You should go and find John."
"Nakoma… I do not want to leave you with…-"
"I will be fine," the younger woman began as she neared her friend. After giving her a quick hug she whispered, "He won't hurt me."
"We will go back to the village together," Hassun said as a tiny smile crossed Nakoma's face.
"Alright," Pocahontas said as she followed the couple. The native woman trying to ignore the uneasy feeling in her heart that seemed to increase with every step.
-..-..-..—End of chapter 6..-..-..-..-