Scrunching her nose, Willow laid back against the rock her blond hair spilling onto earth. Friska, Willow's bear, lumbered around nearby her ancient blue markings twinkling in the sunlight. Willow listened to the crunching sounds that echoed through the forest, tilting her head towards Friska she smiled. The bear was finishing off an elf that had wandered too close to the clan's lair; Willow had disposed of her, though she did take her time killing the small thing. Brushing the dried blood off her knee Willow glanced about the forest, everything was still. The pine needles crunched under Willow's weight as she stood, her wings extending out on either side of her.

"Friska," Willow called. "Time to go." The bear obeyed her deep black fur swinging back and forth as she wandered towards Willow. Pulling herself onto the brown saddle that rested on Friska's back, Willow began to direct her bear to home. The walk dragged on, Willow's legs began to ache as she firmly pressed them on the sides of the saddle to keep from tumbling off as they climbed the mountain. Animals scattered out of their way, the sear size of Friska a terrifying fright. Willow caused quite a scare herself though, ice blue lines cut across her skin at multiple angles; the markings matching Friska's exactly.

At the peak of the mountain Willow looked over her clan's village. The dirt paths were full of fairies buzzing about as they made their way from one place to the next. Black and brown specks moved in and out as the bears of the clan went about their business. Patting Friska's neck Willow whispered to the bear to continue down the mountain. As she swayed back and forth Willow found herself lost in thought about the upcoming mating season, bears and fairies of age were required to go. The night of the bonding moon, as her clan called it, was a night were mates would be found for both the bear and the fairy. The pair always mated with another pair, this was to keep order. The new clan leader and his/her mate would step forth this night, the plans for new young in the spring set.

"We are to be in this year's bonding moon," Willow commented. "You know James and his bear have had their eye on us." Friska answered with a sort holler-like sound, Willow nodded, her hands beginning to move lovingly up and down Friska's side.

The village was alive with life as all prepared for the bonding moon. Dropping from the saddle Willow began to weave her way in and out, sort growls escaping her lips as hurried fairies bumped into her. A flash of brown caused Willow to stop in her tracks, rotating herself on her heels she followed the color, her eyes landing on James. He leaned against a building casually his bear, Muska, standing by his side. Willow and Friska walked towards them, Friska's paws landing heavily onto the earth. James gave Willow a smile, his deep brown hair clashing against his blue eyes.

"Why hello my pretty," he cooed. "Off on patrol were you? Find anything good?"

"An elf wandering too close," Willow answered. "She's dead."

"Of course she is," James replied. "You know, the bonding moon is in two days?"

"I do," Willow responded. "Though, I still think seventeen is too young to be of age."

"I don't," Willow rolled her eyes at his response. "It is just the right age; we must consider our bears remember."

"Friska should not have to mate," Willow growled. "I shouldn't have to either."

"It's clan law," James reminded. "So you will." Willow raised her eyebrow at him, her tanned fingers tapping against her hip harshly.

"I know," Willow smirked. "It will be fun to rip my mate apart during the bonding dance."

"Don't hurt me too badly," James snapped. "You know after all I get first choice of my mate, as does Muska, and we both have had our eyes set on you two."

"Hope you like scars," Willow tossed over her shoulder as she turned away from him. Walking back through the village she tried to control her anger, her hand gripping the hilt of her knife on and off. Her house rested ahead, the vine thatched roof tangling into the rocks behind it. Friska wandered towards the pond, where her family's bears were laying. Entering her home Willow stalked to her room, her face growing red as she discovered her mother sitting at her sewing machine. Willow knew what her mother was creating, the outfit she would have to wear for the bonding moon. Many outfits were skimpy, the cloth thin and easy to rip. The idea behind it was simple, easy to get on and off.

"Darling," Willow's mother smiled. "How was patrol?"

"An elf died," Willow chuckled. "Friska should be full."

"Good to hear," her mother sighed. "You didn't bring the head home? You know how your father loves to shrink those."

"The head was pretty destroyed," Willow replied, her mind flashing images of the splattering blood and bone.

"You have always been a messy killer," her mother said, shaking her head. "Here what do you think?" Willow felt her cheeks blush slightly as her mother held up a thin green cloth. A star was cut out in the center, both in front and back, as well as stars on the sides. Pushing the clothing towards Willow, her mother silently instructed her to try it on. Willow removed her top, her bare skin shivering slightly against the cool summer's breeze. Pulling the cloth over her head she situated it, so it encompassed her chest. The star in the front rested between her two breasts, the points revealing tanned flesh. Brushing her hands over her bare stomach Willow looked at her mother.

"So?" Willow asked, turning in a circle.

"James will surely be able to cut that off during the bonding dance," her mother grinned.

"Mother!" Willow screeched.

"Darling, you have nothing to be afraid of," she continued. "You are a beautiful young lady." Willow silenced her objections, knowing they would get her nowhere. The bonding moon would happen in two nights, and Willow would be present ready to present herself to her future mate. Removing the cloth Willow put back on her bloody outfit. She quickly removed herself from her room before her mother made her try on the bottom half of the outfit.

The sunlight glinted off her arrow heads as she continued to fire one after the other. The wood continually splitting down the middle as she hit her target, every time. The anger of today had built up inside her, leaving her heart a hot mess. Her ears perked as she listened to the heavy footfalls approach, she recognized them as her brothers, his shadow stretching over her slowly. Dropping her bow she turned to face him. He stood, arms crossed, smiling at her.

"Good aim," he gestured towards the target.

"I have always been the best shot," Willow smirked.

"You're also the best with a sword," he reminded. "And just about every weapon they place in your hands." Willow threw her head back and laughed, the release of happiness bringing her back.

"Does that anger you, brother?" Willow asked playfully. Her brother smiled, stepping towards her he pulled her in for a hug. Willow leaned into him, her nose taking in the smell of pine and clean water. Pulling away from each other they smiled, the brother and sister connection hovering between them.

"Are you ready?" Her brother asked in a serious tone.

"As I'll ever be," Willow responded sourly.

"You'll be a great mom," he added. "A great leader too."

"I hope," Willow sighed. The thought of raising her own children hit her hard, but the idea of leading the clan hit her harder. She had been secretly hoping that James would have found another girl to chase, so she didn't have to worry about being a leader and a mom.

"Friska will too," he piped in, breaking up her thoughts.

"I can do it Glen," Willow said as she rubbed her forehead. "It's just going to be a lot of headaches."

"That's a girl," Glen laughed, ruffling her hair. Willow stepped back from him, pointing her knife in his direction.

"Brother or not," Willow warned. "Do that again and you'll lose a finger." Glen shook his head and wandered away, a backwards wave motioning in her direction. Willow snapped her tongue twice before she returned to shooting her arrows, the thoughts of the bonding moon pounding in the back of her mind.