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Teiluj's feet kicked and propelled her through the water. The sensation of the water around her antenna only seemed to amplify sound and movement. She could sense the fish swimming, the current pushing the plants on the bottoms floor. Even feel the ticking of the crustaceans as the scavenged for food. It was like the volume of the world had been turned up and it helped to drown out any possible lingering thoughts from her mind. She didn't want to be thinking right now. There were to many things going on, and a large amount of healing skills she wanted to perfect.

Breaking through the surface with a gasp of air, Teiluj flicked her hair away from her face. She was naked from the hips up. Save for a band around her chest. The sun was just starting to set. Moaning as she slowly opened her eyes the hybrid girl ran a hand through her hair. Gently scrunching the water from her hair. She had no idea that Isaris stood a distance to her left. She could feel the water stream down her skin. Causing tiny splashes as they dropped back to join the rest of the water they had come from.

The sensations of water trickling down her antenna, the way they clung to the strands of her hair dampened her ability to sense the vibrations of movement. It made her feel vulnerable she didn't like it. Worse yet there was the sensation of water rippling up against her stomach. Struggling to loosen her antenna from her hair Teiluj looked down with a sharp gasp. What in Aisha's name was... Hair!? A shiver ran up her spine. Fear, tingled in every inch of her body as she followed the hair towards it's source. Her eyes grew wide with panic. There was a man?

She could feel the flames of embarrassment melting her face. Burning away whatever moisture remained after surfacing. She wasn't able to recognize him for being Isaris as she had never seen him with his hair out of his braids. Never consciously made the effort to imagine him without them. Each breath grew deeper as more emotion built upon the other. Her eyes seething as she started down at the eyes that were now looking at her.

HOW DARE HE!! How dare anyone take advantage of a situation like this. Her face grew darker as her body trembled as she took a step back. Slipping on a rock. Tears pooled in her eyes, easily masked by her embarrassment and the droplets of water. "Pervert." Teiluj growled.

Teiluj's breathing sped up as the shifter approached. Her heart was beating quickly and powerfully in her chest. "Clear signs? H-how is one supposed to do that?" Her eyes grew wide as the voice finally registered in her mind. Was that the shifter she had run into several times before? A cold wind blew against her and Teiluj realized just how exposed she was. How tightly against her the fabric clung to her skin. How the rise and fall of her chest created ripples in the water. The way her hands were bracing her against the shallower parts of the water, to keep her from going under.

Giving a yelp Teiluj used her arms to cover her chest. Her eyes stared up at him in shocked embarrassment. "Is-Isaris!" What was he doing here of all places? And near the change of all things? As her eyes glided over the shifter Teiluj felt her breath hitch in her chest. He was well defined, and water had a strange way of falling down his skin, the way it followed the vales of his muscles. The way it dripped form his hair. She swallowed hard against the tide of feelings. As her eyes worked their way from his head down to the places that disappeared into the water.

Her eyes still looking at him as they shifted from the golden color of day to the deep green of night. They grew wider as she noticed the shift in Isaris' skin. The deep dark skin faded to match the moonlight of his hair. She was caught. She couldn't stop staring.

Teiluj's eyes flicked back up to Isaris' face. Catching sight of the lock of hair slipping over his nose. A fire sparked within her, creating a balmy heat against her skin. Aware of his hand as it moved. She focused on it without moving her head. Her eyes following as his hand moved closer until he was touching her. Snapping her green eyes back to the shifters face. There was a strange look in his eyes. A look she had only seen Nkole give once before. His fingers left a scorching trail where he touched, and she was certain he would be able to tell how hot her skin was just from the contact.

His voice trapped her heart for several painful seconds. Teiluj was very aware her breath was held trapped inside her chest. It refused to leave until he spoke. A quick exhale followed by another sharp inhale. She nodded slowly at his realization of a part of her, the part that seemed almost the hardest to pick out. It was only during the two periods of each day that it was truly obvious what she was composed of.

Her eye's continued to search his face as he drew closer. One arm reached behind her to brace her against the rocks. What was he doing!? Her mind screamed. Her free hand left her chest to reach up and brush against his forearm. Her eyes locking with his. Ignoring the vibrations of something approaching them from the direction of the forest.

Teiuj was stunned as he drew closer. She could feel his breath fan over her face. Her breathing was uneven and it didn't help there was a soft scent that accompanied Isaris. Something pleasant, and unmistakable. He was closing in on her was he going to kiss her? Had she left herself so open? Did he really find her that attractive. Tears pricked at her eyes again at the tenderness of the actions. Someone wanted her. Part of her wanted to push him away, to make him stop but deeper down she wanted the affection. She wanted the feeling of someone wanting her as passionately as anyone could. The way he looked at her was like a scalding flame inside her chest. Why? Why did he look at her like this?

Shocked Teiluj gave a yelp as she was pulled forward against Isaris' body. Her hand that had braced her against the rocks sprang up to rest against his chest. She could feel him tug her into the water and her body failed to resist. She went along silently without a word. Without resistance. Her body trembled with fear as he mentioned the centipede's. Her mother had told her horrific stories about them. Turning she quickly shoved her face into Isaris. She had no way of fighting them, no way of protecting herself. Her magic was still weak, she could hardly get off a shard of ice to help.

Teiluj could feel herself carried along by the stronger shifter. She helped to kick, to move with Isaris as best she could towards the rocks. She didn't want to be a burden on anyone, let alone someone who was making the effort. She wasn't weak, or helpless. She tried hard not to squeak as she was once again pressed up against his chest. She closed her eyes, the sound of rhythmic heartbeat in his chest calmed her. Slowed her trembling. Opening her eyes a little Teiluj focused on one of the scars along his body.

The pain his body must have endured until now made her heart hurt. What could he have been through that would have caused so much trouble for him. So much agony. His voice interrupted her thoughts again, and all she found herself capable of doing was nodding. His scent was a little weaker now. Dulled by the water but it was still there. Enveloping her, "smells nice..." She muttered after she had sufficiently calmed down. Blinking twice she gave Isaris her attention when he cleared his throat. Her eyes staring up at him as he spoke.

What was he trying to say? He made no sense... take advantage of her? For what? She had no specific skills, she was a burden a mixed blooded creature. She shook her head slowly and refused to speak. She didn't know what to say, how was she supposed to respond to something like that? Unless she was right and he had meant to kiss her. Teiluj blushed horribly at the thought, try as she might she couldn't dispel the idea of his lips on hers. His proximity wasn't helping the way her body was pressed up against his.

Teiluj's eyes welled up with tears as she listened wordlessly to what Isaris was telling her. Her heart broke for him, how could anyone be so cruel. Reaching out hesitantly Teiluj touched the tip of the scar closest to her hands. Looking up to see if it caused him pain withdrawing her touch as she thought hard about what would be a correct thing to say. How could she comfort him when he was laying his life before her. No wonder her mother had been so adamant about keeping her hidden during the war. With the mixtures inside her, it was likely that if she were to have done what she wanted, she would have ended up a slave herself.

Shivering her hands moved involuntarily on their own. Unaware she was wrapping her arms around Isaris to hug him. She pressed her nose into his flesh, her breathing remained calm despite the terror she felt over the centipede that never seemed to wander off. "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that." She tightened her hug around him.