-1Chapter 9.

True to his word, at the next stop, Rafi woke Asaro up from her peaceful slumber. It was already turning dark and she could see the moon beginning to glow. They were on the outskirts of some village, completely unknown to Asaro. Everyone rushed outside and began setting up stalls and stages onto the field. Asaro was grateful that her outfit didn’t crumple much or that they didn’t change her in to a nightgown-especially if it wasn’t Lily or Kitty who changed her last time. Though, she felt pretty useless watching everyone prepare somewhat of an attraction. I wonder what they’re doing? she thought.

Rafi must have noticed her confused expression since came up to her and said, “Ever wonder how we get our money?” He pointed to the equipment and continued, “We travel around the world performing and selling items from all the villages we’ve been to. It’s quite an adventure. Actually, remember that dance you saw us doing before in the caravan? That’s what we’re doing today. We’ll stay for a few days, then move on to the next village.”

“It seems your none too steady.” Asaro commented.

Rafi laughed and said, “Well, actually we are. There’s a city, none too far, where we live when we’re taking a break. All gypsies go there.”

“You mean Gypsies town?!”

Rafi looked down at Asaro and asked, “You know of it?”

Asaro tapped her chin thoughtfully. “My guardian told me of it. I believe she said something of it used to being called Tow Town, but so many of your kind moved in that they eventually changed the name.”

“Your guardian? Don’t you mean your parents?” he asked

She felt a slight twinge in her chest at the thought , but she replied calmly, “I never knew my parents. They supposedly died when I was young. The head chief’s cook took me in, saying that I was sent from the heavens to her in their picnic basket.” She snorted. “I never quite got that, but I never really cared. Ganja was my mother, despite her protests of me calling her that. Miss Hegira used to tell me my mother was a whore who did hadn’t wanted a child. For all I know, she could be right.”

Rafi immediately sobered, humor gone, and he placed a warm hand on her shoulder. “My apologies. I know how hard it must be for a young woman to grow up without a mother.” Asaro raised an eyebrow in question and he said, “My mother died when I was seven and Lily four. Our father was so affected that he began to drink continuously. It was like he wasn’t even there. Though, no matter how hard he drank, he never struck us or caused any damage, besides neglect us. For that I forgive him. Shortly after my mothers death, Grandmother took us under her wing.” At this he smiled softly as if he were watching an old memory.

“You have a grandmother?”

He chuckled softly. “Ah, no. I only call her Grandmother. She lived near us and Lily and I would go there many times to bake with her when we were kids. Actually, she also housed Valen when he was down on his luck for a little while and not once did she look like she regretted it. I heard from someone that she used to have a large family, but that they all died in a war in her village far from here. She even told me once that she used to have a baby of her own, but it died soon after birth and that if she couldn’t be a mother then she would be a grandmother. Heh, I guess we‘re all her grandkids.” He scratched his chin thoughtfully and confessed, “You know, I don’t even know her real name since everyone who knows her-which is everyone in towns-calls her Grandmother.”

“How sad.” sighed Asaro. “It’s one thing if you’re born with no family, but to lose one when you’ve grown to love them, that’s just too cruel.”

Rafi studied her with a strange expression on his face as he watched the sunlight reflecting her eyes, but it quickly turned in to a smile as he said, “Come now. Let’s go see if we can get dinner together. It’s getting dark soon and I’ll bet everyone will be hungry. Not to mention, that I might be castrated if there’s nothing to eat and I‘m caught not doing any work.” He started to head back in to the caravan but stopped mid step and turned around to look at her. “You do know how to cook now, right?”

Asaro laughed and pushed passed him saying, “Of course I do. I would make a pretty lousy servant if didn’t, wouldn’t I?” They both snorted and began to gather the cooking supplies from the storage. “So what are we making?”

Rafi paused to give her a sheepish look. “I was hoping you would have an idea. Or better yet, want to treat us to one of your dishes!” Asaro thought she saw him blushing, but it was too dark to tell.

She cocked her head to the side and said, “Um, of course I’d love to. but I thought that there ay be something in particular that you eat on the road.”

He fidgeted a bit and scratched his neck as he muttered, “Well, yea um. That fact is I have absolutely no idea how to cook.”

She blinked a few times until his words registered. “You don’t?”

“Not without burning something, usually a limb.” He glowered at Asaro as she snickered at the thought. “It’s not funny! Actually, none of us can cook anyting edible.”

“I thought you and Lily cooked with Grandmother.” she mocked.

“We baked, not cooked. Grandmother would cook and we would taste it to make sure it was good.”

Asaro placed hand to her forehead. “Oh my. So if you can not cook, who prepared the food I was given when I awoke.”

“Oh, those were from when we bought it at your village. We kept it in storage.”

The young girl pitied the gypsy. “Grab those pots over there and I’ll take a look in your storage to see what foods you have, if that’s alright with you?” Rafi nodded. “You do know how to build a fire without setting anyone on fire, right?” He narrowed his eyes and nodded once more. “Good! I’ll see you outside.”

As Rafi headed down the steps he chuckled. “What a strange girl.” But he couldn’t keep the image of her eyes out of his mind. Shaking his head he went to gather some wood for the fire. Asaro, on the other hand was fully occupied with decisions on what to cook. Finally deciding on beef stew, she stuffed the ingredients in a basket and headed outside.

--

“Delicious! Truly remarkable.” exclaimed Vallen. “It’s decided then,’ he wrapped an arm around Asaro and pulled him toward her, causing her to squeak. “You must become my wife and cook these marvelous meals for me every day!” All this would have been funny for her if his hand hadn’t traveled farther down then her back.

She balled her hand in to a fist and slammed it in to his stomach. “Dirty pervert.” she muttered.

Lanai’s laughter boomed and Lily giggled. “That’s what you get for not keeping your hands to yourself.”

“Ouch, it’s not my fault. It’s the hand. It’s possessed I tell you.” Vallen defended.

“You’re possessed, you old pervert.” Rafi grumbled.

Asaro turned to look at Vallen, worried she might have punched him too hard, only to see Kitty kneeling by him. “Vallen, are you ok?” she asked.

As soon as he lifted his head to look at her, a complete change washed over his face and Asaro was surprised to see how gentle and kind he looked. “No worries, Kitten. I’m stronger then I look.” At those words, he jumped to his feet and stretched. He comically bowed her way and offered an arm. “Now, shall we retrieve dessert, milady.”

Kitty giggled softly and replied, “Ok.” She placed a hand in his and walked with him to the caravan. There was something about them that struck Asaro’s curiosity.

“Are they lovers?” Rafi spit out his water and Lily choked on her food. “Or not?”

Lanai shook his head with an amuse smile. “Get a hold on yourselves, you two. Everyone always asks that.” He turned toward Asaro. “No, as far as we know, they are more like very close friends. You see, Kitty wasn’t always with us. It was Vallen who found her wandering in her village, beaten and hungry.”

“Or so he says.” cut in Rafi.

Lily sighed and shook her head sadly. “When she came, there was something in her eyes, such a fear you don’t just get from living on the streets. And the marks on her body were…unexplainable.”

“But we kept our mouths shut and let it be. From that day on, Vallen has made it his duty to look after her. As you might have notice, she’s the only woman he doesn’t play with. He even used tease Lily.”

Lily said, “Yes, until you threatened to bury him alive.”

Lanai pulled her close and retorted, “It worked, didn’t it?”

--

YEA SO SORRY ABOUT THE WAIT WE HAVE FINALS NOW YUCK! IVE ACTUALLY BEEN STUDYING FOR THEM (GO ME)

SO YEA ANYWAYS SORRY ABOUT THE SHORTNESS ALSO

NEXT CHAP MIGHT NOT COMEIN SO SOON DUE TO MY FUTURE JOB IN CAMP

UMMMM LETS SEE OH YEA! IM LEAVING IT UP TO U GUYS TO MAKE ANY SONG REQUEST FOR ANY SCENE I WIL PICK THE BEST OF THEM AND PLACE THEM ON MY PAGE ID DO IT MYSELF BU I WANT TO KNO WHAT U GUYS R THINKING ACTUALLY SHES JUST LAZY SHUT UP!

ALSO PICTURE REQUEST R ALSO DUE IN IM DRAWING MY CHARACTER NOW BUT I CANT WRK THE SCANNER YET TECHNOLOGY HATES HER ITS TRUE

SO YEA ...OOH ALMOST FORGOT

DONT FORGET TO REVIEW!!