Over the next several days, Akonha hunted only in early morning. He returned each day when the sun was high and spirited Enonai away from the potter's to share the midday meal with her. They had come to enjoy the shade of the cottonwoods a bit further upstream from her flat pottery rock. He would wait until he saw the other girls leave the potter's shed then make his entrance. Each time he appeared, he nodded respectfully to Arawan then stepped in behind Enonai to look over her shoulder and ask about the pot she was working on.

The old potter woman always grinned back at him. She was sure the young hunter thought her eyes were too old to see him slip his fingers into Enonai's hair. What she could not see was that he always found the braid of buttons. Enonai tried her best to discuss the pottery calmly as his fingers brushed her neck and shoulder. After a few minutes of this little play they put on for her, Arawan would shoo them both out with a warning to be back after the sun's heat began to slip from the air.

These afternoons were precious to them both. They wanted them to last forever, for then Akonha would not have to go with the party to the Flats. On the other hand, the sooner these days passed, the better, if they would know with certainty that there was no child to concern them.

On the last noon before Akonha would have to leave, neither of them ate much of the bread or dried meat that Enonai had packed in a bowl for them. They sat quietly at the edge of the shade and looked out on the drying land and dusty camp. The sun was unmerciful this day or perhaps it was their mood that made it seem so. They were terribly quiet, listening to the heat slowly stir the air and leaves.

Akonha finally broke the silence. "Enonai?"

She turned to look at him. "Yes?" They still sat somewhat apart in case anyone might be watching. No need to share their full intentions until he spoke with her father. They thought they were being sly, though many in the camp had suspicions. Still, they felt more at ease in moonlight than on these afternoons in full sun.

He stood up and offered his hand while looking toward the camp then scanning further around them for any sign of others. She looked too then took his hand. Hers was shaking as she rose to stand. He seemed on alert for some reason. After another moment of hesitation, he turned and walked her back into the thicket of trees. Abruptly, he slipped behind a tree and pulled her to him, making her gasp in the suddenness of the move.

He grinned as he put a finger to her lips then whispered. "What good is hiding if you give us away?" She smiled back at him then felt a different rush of warmth as she saw him leaning to her for a kiss. His lips pressed to hers very softly at first, then more boldly as she responded. Her arms went up around his neck. Her fingertips found his braid of metal as he drew her body against his. Such a stirring she felt, something deep in the pit of her stomach. It was an ache she'd not known before and he had never kissed her with such hunger.

When their lips parted, they stood frozen and breathless for a moment, then he relaxed back against the tree with her still in his arms. He looked into her warm brown eyes. He let his mind take in every detail of her face.

"You must listen." He said, still whispering. His expression and voice were quite solemn now. He brought his fingers up to trace along her jawline then cup her cheek. "If I do not return, tell no one of the Coat. Let that rest with me."

She started to protest, to deny this could happen. He must return from the Flats! But Akonha brushed his thumb gently over her lips and shook his head, so she kept silent.

"I will return. I speak only of possibilities, as you did. Tell none, even if there is a child. You may have to journey elsewhere. Other camps have different notions. If no child, none need ever know." He swallowed against the hard knot in his throat. He was determined to come back, for her love and to spare her having to cope with any of this by herself.

He pressed a kiss to her forehead then slipped his hand around to the back of her neck, flexing his fingers in her hair. His voice whispered out over her head as his thoughts continued. "If I do not return... If there is no child... cut the braid from your hair and bury it. Let it be as though it never was."

Enonai rested her head against his chest. Akonha could feel her tears against his skin. He softly shushed her again as his hand stroked her hair.

"I speak only of possibilities. Do not worry for me. I intend to return for a wedding ceremony on the next full moon." He looked down as his fingers slid beneath her chin, to raise her wet face to him. He kissed tears from her cheek then grinned. "Won't you join me?"

It was a quivering smile but she did manage a smile and a nod and then a quiet "Yes."

"Then tonight when we leave, send your brother off with good wishes. I will know some are meant for me." His face brightened and it was infectious, for Enonai smiled more brightly as well.

"I think Kai may be surprised at my enthusiasm." They both laughed lightly then stole another tight embrace before walking innocently back out to their places at the edge of the shade. It was time for Enonai to return to Arawan and time for Akonha to prepare his pack to leave. The party was scheduled to depart at nightfall.

While the farewells were being made in the center of the camp, Enonai hugged her brother warmly then stepped back for her mother to do the same. She looked across the milling people, searching for Akonha. He was standing alone. He had been watching her, waiting to catch her gaze. That was all that passed between them before the party gathered and slipped away into night's shadows.

( Continued Page 7 or back)