~Chapter Six: Part III~

                                    

                                          
Red Thunder (Wakíŋyaŋ Lúta):
                          


                          
Watching Winnie's sweet little tongue dart out to lick along her pert bottom lip did strange, glorious things to my body. I found myself mesmerized, simply staring until I realized she was looking at me expectantly, a hint of confusion evident on her perfect face. I could feel myself blush at being caught gaping at her like a fool, and quickly took a huge bite of the apple to cover my awkwardness. I promptly broke into a coughing fit, the overlarge piece of fruit lodged uncomfortably in my throat. 
                          
Wonderful.
                          
Immediately Winnie was on her feet with a mew of distress, coming over to my side she angled herself behind me, thumping me on the back with more force than I would have expected from one of her stature. The painful blows (thankfully avoiding my wound) had the desired affect. With one last hacking gasp, the chunk of apple flew from my mouth and landed at my blanket-covered feet.
                          
Oh Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka help me, the embarrassing things I had done in the presence of the woman I was attempting to woo... Takoda and Isnala Mato would be dying of laughter if they had been witness. On the positive side, the choking scare had staunched out my desire and I no longer had to worry about sporting a burgeoning erection. I had traded one embarrassment for another! 
                          
 Compassionate, innocent Winnie however, just continued to rub my back in soothing circles, careful to avoid the bandages. When I finally had composed myself enough to look up at her, there was no sign of disgust or amusement on her face, only genuine concern and affection.
                          
"Poor Red Thunder, take it easy with that apple, ok? I'm not a miracle worker!" She exclaimed, seeming to reluctantly draw her touch away from me and reclaim her seat on the wooden and whicker chair at my bedside.
                          
While my hackles rose at her calling me "poor," simultaneously another part of me wanted to pout like a child and cuddle into her embrace, letting her baby me as much as she would allow. 
                          
Pushing those desires aside, I spoke up. "No, you are a 'miracle worker.' You are my miracle Winnie. Always know that."
                          
I reached out a hand to take hers gently in mine, squeezing earnestly. My sweet woman smiled bashfully, pressing back tenderly. "And you are mine, my brave warrior. Know that," she whispered softly, staring down at my hand she held fondly.
                          
I beamed widely, joy leaping in my heart. Our courtship was coming along beautifully. I had never felt so alive (while ironically having just been at the edge of the spirit realm) and the feelings Winnie brought out in me were addictive. Affection, admiration, pride, passion, and wonder. Yes, this must be the work of the creator. What I had done to deserve such a precious boon as my wašté wíŋyaŋ's esteem I did not know, but all my life I had strived to be an noble, worthy warrior and member of my tribe. I always honored the lives I took for food, and gave my all to defend our village. I respected our mother Earth and all her creatures as best I could, taking care not to hurt a single one of them unless necessary, and to help when I could.
                          
I smiled at that thought. Little did Winnie know she wasn't the only healer in the room! Although calling myself a healer was a stretch. In the spring of my twelfth year, I had fond a single lone baby rabbit, trapped in some white hunter's carelessly rigged snare. The tiny thing had been caught by a hind limb, which had become horribly bloodied and torn. The sight had pulled at my heart, and still would have today. I had cut the pitiful creature free from the trap, and seeing it was too injured to make it on its own, took it home to nurse back to health. My mother and our medicine women helped me, and instructed me on the little rabbit's care. It was thankfully old enough to eat greens, which I gathered for it every day. After a couple weeks of salves and bandages, the tiny fellow was mended enough to set free, which I had done with embarrassingly tearful eyes. My mother had told me there was no shame in crying over saying goodbye to my friend, but that I should know there was nothing to be upset over. I had done a good deed that Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka would remember, and my rabbit would be free to live as he had been intended.
                          
I had just opened my mouth to recount the tale to Winnie, when the slam of a door outside caused her to leap up, jerking her pale hand from my grasp as she moved to the window, peering out cautiously.
                          
Turning back to me, anxiety was written in the wrinkles sprouting on her forehead. "That's my father just come outside. I must go now before my family begins to wonder where I am. We usually sit down for the morning meal together, and no doubt I am horribly late!"
                          
My instincts were to pull my woman to me and kiss her beautiful mouth into silence, beseeching her to remain here with me instead, but I knew better than that. Instead I nodded and took another bite of the fruit I had been given, being especially careful to take a smaller piece this time. Its pretty pink color reminded me of the blush that often crowned Winnie's lovely cheeks, and the shine of the apple gleamed just like her soft lips had after I had thoroughly claimed her lips. 
                          
Tuwále! It seemed everything somehow reminded me of the amazing woman who had me in her care, so great was my attraction to her. Even now, I felt a kinship and connection to my gentle healer I had only every felt with my family and blood brothers. Of course, my feelings towards her were not in the child/parent or friendship realm. I felt that the beginnings of love for Winnie were in bloom inside me. I hope they were unfurling inside her as well.
                          
Before I could say anything, my woman was rushing across the loft and scurrying down the stairs, turning back briefly to look back at me regretfully. "I will be back soon Red Thunder, please... stay safe!" 
                          
Winnie's words rushed out before she fled entirely, her hurried footsteps echoing throughout the barn until those too disappeared.
                          
I leaned back against the pillows, and my wounded back immediately began to throb, as if now that Winnie's soothing presence was gone, it would resume. I probably should stay on my belly, but I wanted to preserve at least some of my pride in the company of the woman I was attempting to woo. 
                          
I snorted humorously. That had definitely fled when my healer once again came to my rescue, saving me from a pitiful death of choking on fruit! Remembering that, I glared accusingly at the slimy piece of fruit on my foot, and flung it off spitefully. I was only thankful it hadn't seemed to repel my sweet Winnie in any way. She had probably seen more distasteful sites I didn't doubt, but none from the man she had just kissed! Thinking of that kiss caused me to smile again. I was quite sure I had been her first, and I vowed I would be her only.
                          
Sighing, I mourned the loss of Winnie's companionship, longing with all my spirit to take her in my arms again. Instead, I took up the small loaf of bread she had left for me and tore into it aggressively. I chewed pensively, thinking on what steps I would take when I had fully healed.