Tiopa Ki Lakota (46 page)

Stewart offered more tea to the shaman who had remained behind. "Thank you very much,
wicahcala

," he said. "I would have made a mistake if I were alone."

"I know," Inyan replied with a chuckle. He pulled out his pipe and loaded the bowl. "And though both Nupa and Wanbli care for Ketlin, they would not have offered as much without me. And she deserves it."

"
Ohan
, she does," the white man murmured. He stared at the fire for a few moments. "What you said about her vision.... Was it a vision?"

The elder nodded, a cloud of smoke drifting from his mouth. "
Ohan
, it is. She sees a very bad winter coming. I have sought visions on this and found it is true." He handed the pipe to Stewart. "I do not know why the other shamans and I were not given this vision, why we were not told to prepare our people for the coming bad times. Maybe it was the spirits' way of bringing Ketlin back to us."

Stewart nodded in thought. "Maybe it was."

The joining day dawned bright and warm. Left pretty much on their own, several
wicasa
of Wagna's camp spent their day speaking with their relatives and acquaintances from other camps that were preparing to leave. Others proceeded to go hunting and fishing, anything to get them out of the encampment for a bit. Many of the elders surrounded the council fire and discussed the coming worries of a harsh winter. Finding enough food and robes would be the primary goal for the remainder of the season.

Kathleen was surrounded by a flurry of activity that surprised her. When she'd joined with Anpo before, the only
winyan
that prepared her were Gi and Hca. This time, however, she was a full Lakota woman with all the rights and benefits that incurred. It seemed that every woman from the entire summer camp had dropped by her
ti ikceya
to help with the preparations or give gifts. Stewart fled long ago, keeping company with Wanbli at the council fire.

Alone on a hillock overlooking summer camp, Anpo sat and watched her people. The melancholy that once held her had disappeared since the blonde woman's return, yet the need for solitude had remained. A small smile crossed her face as she saw the telltale yellow hair as a group of
winyan
herded her betrothed towards the river to bathe. She debated briefly about following along to watch but decided against it.
I will have her all to myself soon
, the warrior thought as the group of women disappeared around a bend of the river.

The morning progressed well. As the sun rose to its zenith, Kathleen found herself finally standing alone in her lodge. She was wearing a new
cuwignaka
that was decorated with paint and quills of green and yellow. Her hair had been combed with animal fat until it glistened and put into braids that were wrapped in otter fur. The
ti ikceya
was clean and stocked with all the gifts the women had brought along. Outside at the fire, a haunch of deer was roasting and nearly ready. Teca was with his
tunwin

for the day.

Despite the fact she'd done this before, the blonde felt butterflies in her stomach as she paced her lodge, brushing at imaginary dirt on her dress. Kathleen was almost breathless in anticipation, forcing herself to inhale deeply to get enough air. There was a knock at the entrance and her heart leapt into her chest.

Hca pulled the leather cover aside and grinned in at the blonde. "Anpo is at my
ate's
fire," she informed her.

Kathleen swallowed and nodded. As her friend dropped the covering, the thought crossed her mind,
Am I doing the right thing?
Two years of pain and emptiness flashed through her memory. The many nights crying, the nightmares, a forlorn desire for someone to cuddle with, the taste and smell of her warrior just out of reach.

Inhaling deeply, the blonde shook the memories off. "Aye, lass. There's no doubt about that. You are doing the right thing." She slipped out the
tiopa
.

It was almost surreal, this feeling of
déjà vu
that overcame Kathleen as she made her way to Gi's
ti ikceya
.
So much like the first time.
She saw the entire camp was out and about in support and she smiled.
And so different!
When she neared the lodge, she could see her family seated about the fire, smoking and talking. But she only had eyes for Anpo, the confident warrior comfortably telling a story to her
cinksi
and
tunska

.

Anpo could feel her woman's presence. She looked up, her handsome face breaking into a welcome smile.

Silence fell about the fire as Kathleen arrived. The blonde spared a glance at the others there, finding a wreathe of smiles. With no words, she reached out her hand, sighing as Anpo's warm skin touched hers. She turned and led the way back to her own lodge, the butterflies in her stomach raging.

As she'd done before, she held the leather cover aside for Anpo before stepping in. With sure steps, Kathleen led her warrior to the place across from the entrance and helped her seat herself. Kneeling before Anpo, she gently removed the moccasins on the dark feet and replaced them with new ones. "We are joined,
winuhca
."

Anpo reached out and pulled the braids forward to hang in front of the blonde. "We are joined,
winuhca
," she repeated with a smile.

The afternoon was another whirlwind of activity. Wagna's camp celebrated the joining of the couple with a fine feast that all were invited to. Many of Mani's people joined them as well as a few others from the main summer camp. Anpo ate her midday meal at her own fire in front of Kathleen's
ti ikceya
, the blonde serving her with gentle grace for all to see. After all had served witness to their domestic bliss, Anpo took her
winuhca
by the hand and led her into the lodge.

Kathleen chewed her lower lip in a heady mix of fear, anticipation and arousal. She was reminded of the first time they had ever been together, before she understood the words spoken to her or the intentions of the strange warrior in the yellow shirt. Her mouth quirked in a slight grin as she remembered her surprise at finding a woman, not a man.

The blonde found herself being drawn to the sleeping robes that Anpo had placed in their appropriate place. The fire burned low, more for light than heat, and the bottom of the
ti ikceya
had been rolled up a few inches to allow a breeze to cool the interior.

Anpo stopped at the robes, turning her dark eyes on her
winuhca
. She recalled their first night together, as well, and proceeded to deliberately copy it. Her hands touched the pale skin, caressing, studying, bowing her head to peer closely at the small hairs that decorated it. It has been so long.... Again, the warrior marveled at the movement of the hair as her breath brushed across it.

The tickling sensation caused Kathleen to sigh and close her eyes, a shiver running up her arm and to her heart. A vague throb developed between her legs and she pressed her thighs together to ease it. It only served to intensify the need. The sensation of lips on her skin popped her eyes open.
She's never kissed me there!

With tender curiosity, Anpo nibbled the pulse point at her woman's wrist, tasting the skin there for the first time. Her own body was smoldering, her heart fluttering in her chest as she proceeded to lick and kiss a line towards Kathleen's elbow. The hand she held curved about her head, pale fingers grazing her hair. Hearing a whispery sigh caused her blood to pulse hotter in her veins.

Kathleen crooked her arm, planting her hand firmly behind her warrior's head. With a craving that surprised her, she forced Anpo's mouth to her own, demanding a kiss. Their lips met, voracious appetites whetting. Hard arms wrapped about the blonde and pulled her tight, one hand behind her head, the other squeezing her rear. The wave of passion that assailed Kathleen almost made her swoon, her knees becoming weak from the rush.

Anpo freed the delicious mouth from her attentions, her motions fierce and frantic as she blazed a trail to the lithe neck. She could feel smaller arms clutching at her waist and head, could hear a moan force its way from her winuhca's throat and she bit down on the skin there, feeling the sound in her teeth. The muscles beneath her hand tightened as the blonde pushed her hips forward.

The unfamiliar sound rising from her throat shocked Kathleen even as it excited her. Dark blue eyes flickered about in confusion as if she were just waking up. A war erupted in her head, her desire fighting with the puritan upbringing of her parents. The teeth nibbling her neck and the resultant growl from her warrior sent a flood of heat to her thighs, an ache to her breasts.
What's wrong with me!? I've never felt this way! Not even with Adam!

Feeling the woman in her arms begin to struggle weakly, Anpo released the smooth neck and pulled her head back. Kathleen's eyes were brimming with fear and arousal and the warrior's heart went out to her. "
Hiya
, Ketlin," she whispered, peering into the stormy eyes. "Shhhh. You are safe with me,
mahasanni ki
." With slow, deliberate movement, Anpo moved the hand that had been kneading a full buttock. As their eyes remained locked, she traced a path over the swell of hip, the curve of waist, brushing a breast.

The fear receded at the gentle touch. Kathleen's breast ached even more as her warrior's hand barely caressed it and she found herself opening her mouth in a soft sigh, eyes becoming hooded. She licked her lips, feeling thirsty and hungry all at once.

Seeing that Kathleen's fears were calming, the warrior's hand wrapped about the neck, her thumb caressing the reddening mark where her teeth had just been. "I love you, Ketlin. I will not hurt you." The thumb roamed up to follow the jawline, her other hand caressing the back of the blonde head. "We will give each other pleasure on our joining day."

Kathleen swayed a bit as she was released. With a bit of concentration, she focused on the warrior before her who was removing shirt and breechclout. The blonde blinked. A memory flitted across her mind's eye - the man in the yellow shirt becoming a woman after removing her clothing. The gentle dark eyes that promised when no words could be understood that nothing would harm her. With a smile, Kathleen pulled her dress over her head and kicked off her moccasins.

Smiling in return, Anpo took her woman by the hand and settled down on the robes. They faced each other in the dim light of the fire, sitting cross legged, knee to knee. Again, she reenacted their first night, reaching out to touch with inquisitive hands. There was a difference, however. As her hands roamed the pale skin, her dark eyes locked with Kathleen's, watching the blonde's responses.

The blonde sat very still as she was caressed. Touches trailed along her arms, gently massaged her shoulders. They brushed her neck and she arched it as a cat receiving a scratching. Dark eyes stared into hers and Kathleen tried diligently to keep visual contact. When Anpo's touch drifted to her aching breasts, it was too much and she let out a soft moan as her eyes finally closed.

Anpo's heartbeat increased at the sound. She finally dropped her own eyes and watched her dark hands against the fair skin, circling the soft roundness, watching the nipples pucker in anticipation. Curiosity washed over the warrior and she leaned closer.

A familiar sensation occurred and Kathleen's mind frantically searched for the memory.
Nursing!
She opened dark blue eyes and peered down her chest to see Anpo suckling her left breast. The warrior's eyes were closed and her hands had reached around Kathleen's back to support her. The sheer eroticism of the moment flushed through the blonde and she tossed her head backwards, her own hands finding the dark head and pressing closer. "Oh, Anpo," she sighed.

The skin was smooth and warm. The warrior could hear the rapid heart beating, could feel it on her lips as she sucked on the small bud. Hearing her woman's response to the suckling, a wave of passion flowed through her and she attacked the right nipple with hunger. Anpo braced the blonde with one arm, bringing her other hand forward to knead the abandoned breast.

Once again, Kathleen lost herself in the intensity. Both her hands were wrapped in raven hair and she clutched at Anpo, wanting her to continue, wanting her to stop, wanting her to do...
something
. Teeth grazed her nipple and she groaned, bringing her head forward to rain kisses on her lover.

With raging appetite, Anpo moaned and avidly attacked her woman's chest and neck, finally stopping at Kathleen's lips. There, her touch became gentle, her kisses teasing, drawing the blonde out and away from her nervousness and fears.

Expecting the same frenzied attention, Kathleen was frustrated. She tried to extend the kisses only to have Anpo pull away. Her dark blue eyes snapped in pique. Hands still buried in dark hair, she forced the desired lips closer and attacked them. Their tongues entwined, she could feel her warrior's moan and it urged her to lean forward.

Losing herself to the sensations, Anpo pulled her winuhca closer. She was sitting cross legged and Kathleen was in her lap, straddling her waist. The shock of their bellies and breasts touching, rubbing, pressing against each other brought another wave of arousal and sound from both of them.

Anpo's hands rubbed the pale thighs, occasionally reaching around to knead the rounded buttocks and pull the blonde closer. She could feel the light curls brushing and mingling with her own darker ones, feel the moisture there mixing with her own essence. Small hands, having finally released her hair, scratched up and down her back and shoulders. "
Mahasanni ki
," she whispered between incendiary kisses, capturing one of the hands.

Kathleen found her hand pressed to an aching breast. She broke off the kiss as she peered down, brushing her thumb against the darker areola, seeing the erect nipple peaking. Bringing her head back up, she stared into fiery brown eyes and licked her lips. With deliberate slowness, she squeezed the breast, capturing the nipple between thumb and forefinger.