The Art of Burning Bridges

[Emms]

Title The Art of Burning Bridges

Author Emms

Disclaimer- I own nothing but the clothes on my back...

Feedback? would be most appreciated. It's no secret that I'm a feedback whore.

Setting- A distant planet, in which a thousand year war has been waged. The people of this planet are split into dividing forces. The Plains People are a military power, bent on bringing order to this war torn planet and they are not afraid to use force. While the Shinty Folk of the Forest Clan are thought to be a savage group of anarchists.

Willow Rosenberg watched as her parents were slaughtered at the hands of the Shinty Folk. And now that she's grown and sucessfully worked her way up the ranks in thier legendary military she will stop at nothing to see the people punished for the wrongdoings they've committed. But when she meets Tara, who at the tender age of 25 is a key player in the Shinty People's plans her world will be changed forever. Will Willow be able to let go of the powerful drive for revenge that has ruled her life since the night her parents died? Or will she.....(who are we kidding...we're talking about Willow and Tara here... There shall of course be a happy ending)


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The Art of Burning Bridges


Willow knelt down in the iron colored mud along the Tulac River. She reached for the water purification device that was attatched with a steel clasp to the utility belt that was slung loosly around her hips, but thinking twice before wasting any of the precious filter pads, she first dipped a testing wand into the swift moving water. Pulling the long metal probis from the liquid she squinted to read the digits running along the side of the apparatus. 000.000.05 saturation level. Willow was floored, she'd never seen such a oddity in all her 24 years. For water to be this clean and untarnished there would have to be a pretty massive filtration system at its source. Which meant that there was most likely a settlement nearby. Fore she knew that water couldn't run this clean for too long without becoming contaminated.

Willow estimated the settlement to be a maximum of five miles away. Estimating was the easy part, now, actually tracking these people... well, that would be sure to present a whole new set of problems. The first one being deciding in what direction to go. Willow scooped water into the cup of her hands and drank thirstily. Besides the faint metallic tint to the water it tasted wonderful. Even with the most sophisticated purification device water usually didn't taste any better than wet rat, but the liquid she now drank, was delicious.

Willow stilled at the sound of snapping branches behind her. Her military training had really attuned her senses. She stood frozen, her boots sinking into the slimey mud under her boots. As the snapping continued, her heart pounded. The thought of being discovered before her mission was completed terrified her. Willow didn't like the thought of becoming anyone's POW. She needed to be the one in control.

Many thoughts scrolled through her mind as she waited to be caught reminding her of the Reading Of Words at the beginning of each of the many victory feasts she'd attended since she was a little girl. Her father had been the highest ranking military official before his death at the hands of The Shinty Folk. A shiver went through Willow's body at the memory of seeing her father and mother slaughtered. Willow's tongue grew bitter at the memory of the insurgence that killed her father. She'd spent years building up walls around that part of herself that was so vulnerable to their memory.

A rebel to the establishment, the Shinty Folk were warriors for the cause, a splinter group that had disassociated itself from the establishment over 500 years ago. It was told that The Shinty Folk didn't believe in force, didn't believe in orders, and didn't believe there should be consequences for their actions. It was this last part that nearly caused Willow to spit on the ground at her feet. They were liars, she knew this to be true. They were anarchists and that was a cause Willow's people couldn't stand for. Since birth it had been drilled into her infant mind that lawlessness was the root of all evil. That to refuse orders could only lead to chaos. Her military heart called for order. And that was why she was in these woods.

Willow picked up the transmitter also attatched to her belt. She'd have to report this find back to the base, which was stationed a hundred miles east of the river though she knew that she would be on her own until she had more substantial evidence that the Forest Clan was indeed the one she was tracking. Which was the way Willow liked it anyway. She preferred to be alone with her thoughts.

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Tara made her way down the steep slope that led away from the encampment, away from the loud noises made from the banging of sticks against the hollowed-out trunk of the Hammock trees, and the chanting of the Shinty Folk. She used to find confort in the melodious rhythmic chants that always marked the beginning of the Woman Ritual. But for the last two Ashkak cycles she had found little in the sounds she'd known since birth that could spark the light of her soul. Tara could already feel her heart burning up under the pressure of the chanting and her sacred duties she didn't want to feel toward her people.

Tara felt perspiration dampen her brow as the ritual grew in fervor behind her, she refused to wipe at her brow though. Tara felt a presence behind her, but she couldn't bring herself to turn around and face the woman. Instead, she crossed her arms and focused her gaze into the tangle of trees in front of her. She was determined to be on her own today and would refuse any offer to join the ritual this time. Tara steadied herself against this, feeling better at the thought of being alone that day.

"Lady Tara."

Tara softened at the sound of that voice, but she wouldn't relent. She would resist that urge. Sighing, she spun around. The woman had cocked her head to the side and was watching Tara as if trying to figure her out.

"You know the ritual will not work if all the women do not participate."

"It's not working anyway Anya, don't you see that? Cant you feel them? They're coming you know.... I can sense them even now." Tara rested her gaze on a Pontoo bird that was perched and sleeping on a branch a few yards away. Sometimes Tara felt like the flightless Pontoo....she was as tied to the soil as it was.

"So what? You are just going to stand there like a stick in the mud and do nothing to stop them? "

"But why the ritual? Always with the pounding of sticks against the Hammock trees, but what good has that done us when they are so close that I can taste the flavor of the wind they make with their strides?" Tara brought her eyes back to settle on the woman in front of her. She had known Anya all her life, they had grown up together and had always been very close. Up until the time that Anya gained the duty of camp medic, they had spent most of their days together. Anya had been slightly ostracized by the rest of the group as they found her litteral way of speaking and general off-putting behavior distasteful. But Tara never had minded any of that, in fact, it endeared the girl to her. They were friends even now, though they saw little of eachother anymore.

"You are too philosophical Lady Tara, I've always said that that was your only down-fall."

"No....my down-fall is that I have stayed here as long as I have. " Tara crossed her arms in front of her and shot her friend a look that spoke of challenge. When Anya didn't speak against what she'd said, Tara sighed, bringing her arms away from her chest. "I'm just tired of running..." She let her gaze flicker away for a moment as she spoke.

"That is the way of our people....It has always been that way for us. "

"We run. We are cowards. That's nothing to be proud of Anya. "

"We are not cowards...we are smart. We are pacifists. You know the Elders will not fight them. It is the only way for our people Tara. Would you kill any one of them? Would you pick up a knife and slit any one of them?"

"No...." Tara leaned her head against the tall tree beside her.

"Then we chant. I'ts the only way. Come...I'll help you into your robe."

Tara, turned back to the forest dismissing Anya with the flick of her hand. She wouldn't join the ritual this time, she told herself as she heard Anya turn away, her footsteps fading into the forest toward the encampment.

TBC

[Emms]

I had to break the parts up to post them ....here's the second part of the first chapter.

All Disclaimers apply

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Willow continued on, feeling the sleeveless shirt she wore stick to the perspiration on her skin. She knew it's Maroon color was stained with the mud and sweat from her body but she didn't care. The canvas pants she wore were slung low on her hips and fastened with the utility belt. Her short red hair clung damply to her head as she struggled up yet another hill. This one was higher than the last few she'd climbed.

Willow was no stranger to excercise but even she knew that she would be feeling this one when the first tightening in her calves started. That tightening was sure to grow into a full-blown ache by morning.

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Tara set off through the valley, quickening her pace until she was well clear of the sound of the banging sticks of her people. She needed time to clear her mind. She needed time to be alone. To think.

She knew the only thing that tied her to the people of the Forest Clan was her mother. Her mother had been in failing health for a long while now and Tara knew that the end was close at hand for her. Tara steeled her chin against the thought of her mother's likely passing. She wouldn't cry about it now. No...not now. There was no sense in wasting tears on death. There would be plenty time to cry after....Tara felt her heart clench in pain. She tried to be strong, she tried to tell herself that she was an amazon and that nothing could hurt her. But the beating of her heart told her different.

Tara sat down on a fallen tree, her head in her hands. It was only at these rare times of seclusion that she could ever let herself feel the pain that she'd carried with her since she was but a small child. Tara sobbed into her hands, letting the shield of formality she'd spent years building around herself crumble. She would give into this one moment of emotional freedom, before she she slammed the door on it for good. She wasn't a leader...she didnt want to be a leader...but that's who she would become once her mother passed. Tara sobered at the thought. She would leave before that happend, she told herself. Drying her tears with the back of her hand, Tara rose from the make-shift seat.

The valley was steep around her. In the trench she felt small as the tall hills surrounded her on both sides. The steep incline felt like a prison. She was in prison she told herself. She was in prison to the ways of her people.

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Willow stood atop the hill, watching the woman as she cried tears into her hands. She felt a strange sense of curiosity toward this woman. What kind of pain would make her cry the way she was? Willow's hand stilled above the transmitter on her belt. She would have to call this in, for she recognized the material of the Forest people etched all over the long skirt worn by the woman below her. But something stopped Willow's fingers from continuing their journey. What was this strange coiling fire in her stomach at the sight of the woman? Surely Willow had never felt this fluttering in her heart, whilst looking at another person. It was strange, it was disconcerting. But somehow it was exciting. Willow tried not to breath loudly, for she knew that if the woman saw her...if the woman saw her Willow would have to call...she would have no choice....She just wanted to look at this woman for a second more...study her...

Willow felt the leaf litter under her black boots start to give way. She instinctivly reached out to steady herself against one of the trees at her side. The movememnt must have alerted the woman below her to Willow's presence, because the woman's gaze shot up. their eyes locked for a moment as all thoughts of calling the base were forgotten inside the heat of that link between them. And then Willow's footing gave way as her feet went out from under her body. Willow was falling and unable to stop herself, she tummbled head-over-heals down the steep slope until she felt a crack to the back of her head and the world faded to black.
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TBC

xoxo
Emms

[DreamLover]

Hi Emms,

a new story wooooooohooooo.... ok I will leave you a feedback later since some one we both know is talking to much on yahoo right now.

henny

[A-Rob]

Coolness! I loved it! Conflicting ideals, strong emotions, tense surroundings! It just can't get any better. Well, maybe some smoochies would just do the trick.
Seriously though, I really like this thing you've got going here. Sounds like a great start. Can't wait to see what will happen, I'm already seeing it: Tara nursing Willow's wound, tension thick enough to cut with a knife, sparks flying...
Keep it up!

[negraoreo]

Hi! Just dropped by to say that this story is very cool! I liked it. It's a great start and I can't wait to find out what happens next.

[cooper]

Emms!

Does this bring your total of stories currently in progress to 1000? How do you do it? I don't know if (well, if I was a writer) I could even have more than one going without losing the plot and writing about Sunflowers growing in a psych hospital with an albino child that fights for the military in each update.

This though is great. I can't wait to see what happens next. Will Tara take Willow to her camp? Will they run away together? What's going to happen???

cooper

[JustSkipIt]

Emms,
So exciting to see a new fic from you. I like the start of this very much. It has a sort of classic epic feel to it. Kind of uber but it'd be like, "uber what?" Your depiction of both women had a very earthy feel to it. Very present and real. I felt like I could feel the environment around them throughout the update.

Interesting contrast between Willow who has been basically brainwashed since birth and Tara who is obligated to lead her people but who does not believe in their ways. The connection was wonderful.

But... Who was Willow hearing at the stream and then she was no longer there and hadn't had a confrontation?

Well started.

[Emms]

Okay...I'm glad everyone likes the new creative venture. Really I am, because I just knew when I posted that it was going to be greeted with a collective groan. (I'm glad that it wasn't) I think all the writers out there know what it's like to have a story going through your head that just wont leave until you do something with it. It really is naughty of me to be starting another story though, because I really should be concentrating on finishing Catching Sunflowers... but hehe I just couldn't help myself. I'm glad you all are enjoying. The next part should be out soon, as I'm almost finished typing it. Thank you everyone, for the lovely feedback.
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Henny,

ok I will leave you a feedback later since some one we both know is talking to much on yahoo right now.

Don't let Rhi chattering away like a little fuzzy chipmunk keep you away from my brand new story!

yeah... new story...what can I say...I can't help myself

glad you liked sweetie.

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A-Rob,

Coolness! I loved it! Conflicting ideals, strong emotions, tense surroundings! It just can't get any better.

Thank you.

I'm already seeing it: Tara nursing Willow's wound, tension thick enough to cut with a knife, sparks flying

yes....that is a lovely visual isn't it? I'm glad you liked the first chapter Rob, thank you for leaving feedback.

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negraoreo

Hi! Just dropped by to say that this story is very cool! I liked it. It's a great start and I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Thank you. And you might not have to wait long, as I've already nearly got the next update finished.

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cooper

Does this bring your total of stories currently in progress to 1000?

yeah....some number like that.

How do you do it?

A lot of sugar?

I don't know if (well, if I was a writer) I could even have more than one going without losing the plot and writing about Sunflowers growing in a psych hospital with an albino child that fights for the military in each update.

that sounds like a pretty good plot to me well...i guess we all know what my next story will be about

I can't wait to see what happens next. Will Tara take Willow to her camp? Will they run away together? What's going to happen???

I'm glad you're so excited But you will just have to wait and see!

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Irene

The birth of a new story by Emms, and I get to leave fb...yay!!!

It's really a yay to me cause I get to read the feedback...and that's always fun

The plot to this fic is terrific. One culture's thoughts and beliefs against anothers...1) this screams of Romeo and Juliet...but in our case...Willow and Tara. 2) Two worlds will unite as their love grows... and maybe perhaps, in their infinite love, they will be able to bring peace to the world

1) except for the whole tragic ending thing though

2) best case senario....you know.. or they could run away and take a boat to a far away island while thier respective tribes duke it out without them. but you know....your way works too.

See...this makes me think that the Shinti were'nt responsible for the death of Willow's parents. Maybe it was another secret tribe...or maybe someone from their own military who didn't want to see Willow's father in power perhaps because he would have brought peace? You know how the government is? Well as the story progresses I'm sure to bring up more outrages theories...you know me.

Irene, I just love how observant you are. you never miss a thing. and I always enjoy reading what kind of scandleous theories you've come up with to explaination Willow and Tara and their various situations.

War does not become Tara...ever. She's the most caring, loving human being...the thought of her having to lead her people must be so overwhelming for her. I felt her pain...you described it so beautifully

first, thank you. second, i totally agree with you. Tara as a war leader isn't the best situation for her. I wonder what's going to happen when her mother dies and all the Forest clan people turn to her for guidence. I wonder how she's going to handle that, and what it will mean for her relationship with Willow (you know...if she has a relationship with Willow at that point in the fic )

Emms, I'm so exicited about the possibilities that this fic will generate. You've done a fantastic job in describing the world in which our heroins live, the atmosphere...just everything.

Thank you sweetie and thank you for replying....I always enjoy reading feedback from you.

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Debra

Emms,
So exciting to see a new fic from you. I like the start of this very much. It has a sort of classic epic feel to it. Kind of uber but it'd be like, "uber what?"

Thank you.

Kind of uber but it'd be like, "uber what?"

actually, I have no Idea

Interesting contrast between Willow who has been basically brainwashed since birth and Tara who is obligated to lead her people but who does not believe in their ways.

I think they both feel tied to the roles they've been assigned in their groups, the only difference is that Willow embraces her role and Tara wants out from under hers.

But... Who was Willow hearing at the stream and then she was no longer there and hadn't had a confrontation?

Ahhh....that would be the missing paragraph that has found its way to the cutting room floor by mistake. (did I mention that I was very tired when i wrote this ?) Well....I'll get around to fixing that little typo eventually...but until I do lets just say for all intents and purposes that they skittering in the bushes was some kind of harmless animal rooting around for a tasty meal of grubs or something as equally yummy.

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xoxo
Emms

[watty]

I really should be concentrating on finishing Catching Sunflowers ...

Yes you should. And Niobe's Silence. And Art Appreciation. And Simple Matters. And ... I'll stop now, you know what I mean .

That said, I'm glad you started this fic. It's an image of conflict between Willow's world and Tara's world. I think it must be one of those sci-fi fantasy worlds where you have one civilization with hi-tech gadgets and disciplined rules occupying the same planet as another with spiritual rule and probably very few machines. I feel like I can reach out and touch the angst that will build up. I don't think it'll be Willow and Tara, cos it looks like they'll become smitten very soon. No, the pressure will be from the outside. Like Irene described, Romeo and Juliet without the whole we-didn't-communicate-and-made-rash-assumptions-that-got-us-unnecessarily-killed part.

Looking forward to the next part. Or you could finish Sunflowers first. As long as you keep to your posting schedule, anything posted will be good for me . I won't beg though, I'm far too dignified and have my reputation to consider to beg. Yes ma'am . [Now why do I feel I just set myself up to be ridiculed again ? "You? watson? Reputation? What reputation?!??]

[Emms]

Watson,

Emms, the epitome of prolific writing, though not the best role model for young writers just starting out *coughtoomanyunfinishedficscough*

I can't say that you're wrong about that.

No, the pressure will be from the outside. Like Irene described, Romeo and Juliet

I'm not so sure about this part...This Willow and Tara come from very different backgrounds with very different value systems...at least romeo and Juliet were both rich and lived in the same part of town...

Looking forward to the next part. Or you could finish Sunflowers first. As long as you keep to your posting schedule, anything posted will be good for me .

I'll try...but you know how I can be.

I won't beg though, I'm far too dignified and have my reputation to consider to beg. Yes ma'am . [Now why do I feel I just set myself up to be ridiculed again ? "You? watson? Reputation? What reputation?!??]

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All Disclaimers Apply

The Art of Burning Bridges: Chapter 2



"Can you walk?"

Willow felt the palm of a warm hand placed lightly against her shoulder, she flinched at the soft touch. And an instant later she found herself blinking her eyes against the pain that shot through her head. Willow closed her eyes and heard the groan escape from between her lips. She had to get up.

"Don't m-move....."

Willow made a sound like she was going to protest, but she quickly replaced that impulse with a small nod of agreement. Willow was relieved when the woman removed her hand from her shoulder. It itched now, where her hand had rested and Willow wanted to scratch the irritation, but when she tried to lift her hand to the burning place, another sharp pain accosted her. It ripped through her her body before settling direcly in her left shoulder. Willow blinked back tears.

"I-it's broken I think..."

Willow saw that the woman had a look on her face, the type of which Willow had never seen before. She didn't know what to make of the warm blue eyes as they scanned her body for further injuries.

"You need help."

"I don't need your help or anyone elses, for that matter." Willow spoke too quickly, dismissing the woman's attempt to lift Willow's shirt at the shoulder and examine her injury. She couldn't miss the glimmer of hurt in the other woman's eyes.

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Tara frowned as she turned away from the woman's curt words. She didn't know what to make of this stranger that had tumbled into her world. Litterally. And she didn't care either, Tara decided. She had enough of her own problems to deal with afterall, the last thing she needed was to be sattled with anyone else's.

Tara decided to ignore the woman's harsh words, instead she busied herself with searching for anything that would be potentially helpful in aiding the woman's injured arm. "Stay put." She had instructed the woman, simply. She walked a ways further down the in the valley, only glancing back one time, and only to make sure the woman had heeded her words.

Tara fitted the woman's arm into the impromptu sling she'd fashioned out of the drogs she'd picked from the giant Nut Trees that grew by the hundreds along the edges of the incline. The large leaves were as long as Tara's body and had to be torn to fit around the smaller woman's slim figure.

Tara secured the woman's arm to her body, with the drogs wrapped around the appendage then around her slim waist to hold it in place. Tara tried not to let her gaze linger for too long on any aspect of this woman's body lest she feel scrutinized at every moment.

Tara instinctivly felt the one-sided tension as she slipped the last peice of drog around the redhaired woman's shoulder. She knotted the drog atop the woman's shoulder then stood back to examine the contraption.

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They walked back to the encampment in silence. Neither saying a word. Tara glanced over occasionally, but from the stranger's disposition she could tell that any attempt on her part to make idle conversation wouldn't have been welcomed.

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Willow didn't look up, until she smelled the first flavors of roasting meat coming through the thicket around them. Her stomach made demanding sounds as it thought of the food. How long had it been since her last meal? She didn't know. Willow couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten anything. She had the worrisome habit of forgetting to eat for long amounts of time, and this had always been a cause of a great deal of argument between her and her superiors back at base. One in paticular. Buffy.

Buffy was the new head honcho, and Willow, directly under her, was obliged to take orders, even though she and Buffy were on very friendly terms. Willow suspected that she got away with more gruff than any of the other officials because of this fact though.

Buffy was strong, and a good strategist, which had made her a perfect candidate for the position when the former man had died in battle. No one had dared challenge the promotion, not even the men. Willow suspected they'd known that they would have gotten their asses kicked if they had said anything.

Willow was brought up from her musings by the smell of meat as it grew stronger in her nose. She lifted her gaze and was able to see that there was a clearing up ahead, though the scattered branches blocked most of her view. They kept walking until the sound of pounding could be heard and a chanting that was strange to Willow's ears weaved in and out of the rhythmic beating.

Willow chanced a glace at her companion, noting for the first time the other woman's silky blonde hair. It was secured into a thick braid that hung heavily down the woman's back. Willow felt her throat go dry. She quickly removed her gaze, fixing it on the approaching scene before them, instead.

As they drew still closer other sounds could be heard in intervals. Between the notes of the chanting voices there was the sound of children playing, Willow could see them laughing as they chased eachother around burning fires and in and out of thickets of bushes before dissapearing into the earthen-wear huts that dotted the small village.

Willow held her breath, not even realizing that she did so. Never did she consider that she would be on the actual sight of a Shinty camp, unless she was leading the soldiers that were tearing it down....or unless she had been captured during one of her scouting missions. Willow's heart stiffened again, as she reminded herself that the only reason she was alive now, was because this Shinty woman didn't know who she was. There were no tell-tale markings on Willow's body and she certainly wasn't wearing the standard issue clothing of the Plains People Miliatary. If she had been, she was certain to have been dead by now.

Willow was even less open-minded once they came fully into the village, if one could even call it a village. It looked more like a refugee camp. Willow could see women, sitting around in goups on the dirty ground weaving bags from the same leaves that now protected her arm. And though she could see no stick-bangers, their noise was now more appearent than ever. Almost deafening.

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Tara lifted the flap covering the entrance of the infirmary, her eyes seeking out her friend.

Anya stood in front of the dirt walls of the medic's chamber, her back was too them as they stood at the entrance-way, but she quickly turned to face them as they came inside. Tara recognized suprise in Anya's eyes as the woman's eyebrows raised an inch above where they normally rested above her eyes.

"Well...look what the Praggot dragged in."

Tara smiled at Anya's sense of humor, as Praggots were funny four-legged creatures, usually found sleeping at the end of the Shinty Folks pallets. They were also known to drag unsuspecting creatures in from the night, neatly killed and tucked away between their pin-sharp teeth. The Praggot usually deposited these "gifts" somewhere inside the dwelling, to be found the next day, by one or more unsuspecting persons. Tara lifted her own eyebrows in response to Anya's obvious attempt to tease her.

Anya walked toward them, and without ceremony cut the drogs that held the woman's arm in place and then began to strip the strangers clothes off. Tara blushed profusely, and the woman who's clothes it was being removed became indignant. Tara was sure that the shouting of "Hey!" could be heard by everyone in the encampment.

Anya tried again to lift the woman's shirt up around the arm that was still clutched tighly to the chest of the stranger, but she was greeted with a slap to the hands and a defient glare for the jesture.

Tara made a move to touch the woman's arm, to comfort her and reassure her that this was in no way abnormal behaviour for Anya. Tara's hand got close enough to feel the heat radiating off of the woman's body, before the redhead stepped back to dodge Tara's touch.

"Calm yourself sparky or I'm gonna leave you like this" Anya said, pointing the the woman's arm.

"Leave me like this then."

Tara lowered her rejected hand as the stranger spoke defiantly, her chin set against Anyas bewildered expression. Tara had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. This woman definitly had spunk. She was like a wild Mussox.

The children would sometimes corner the Mussox in a innocent game, while taking great joy in the wild look in it's eyes before they tired and ran off to find other ways to amuse themselves. This stranger had that same wild look in her eyes at that very moment.

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After many more minutes of not-so-softly spoken words, Anya and Tara were able to convince this redheaded woman to at least sit on the examination table and let Anya take a look at her shoulder.

The only article of anything they were able to wrestle from her was the belt from around her waist, and only that, because Anya had explained that it could be hiding a nasty forest parasite, that could at any moment wiggle under her skin and lay eggs.

After the examination, Tara felt Anya grip her arm. Tara allowed Anya to pull her by the arm into the next chamber. She went willingly, even though she knew what her friend was going to say.

"You brought an outsider here!"

"She was hurt, what would you prefer me to have done. Leave her there?"

"That would have been a good start! You are too soft Tara, you have no mind when it comes to these things!"

"How can you of all people judge me that way?" Tara felt her heartbeat pick up speed.

"Can you blame me Tara? You go off on your own and when you come back you're bringing a stranger into the encampment? Really what am I supposed to think? For all I know, or you for that matter, she could be an enemy sent here to spy on us." Anya spoke these words in chastising tones, her finger fixed stiffly in Tara's face.

Tara didn't feel like defending herself against Anya's blatant dislike of her decision making abilities. Tara rubbed the bridge of her nose between her thumb and first finger. She felt the pressure that had started a moment ago ease up slightly. "I really didn't ask you to think anything about it at all did I?" She was being unreasonable. She knew this. Anya was right, she had made a risky move by bringing the stranger back with her...but there was something....No...she wouldn't allow herself to take that thought any further. it was done, and there was no taking it back. "Is she okay...?" Tara was suprised by the concern she heard in her own voice.

Anya's eyes seemed to soften, the way they occasionally did. "Well...I don't know who she is or where she came from so I'm afraid I'm not capable to speak on her spiritial health, but her shoulder seems fine...just dislocated. She's very lucky."

"Thank you." Tara said touching her friend on the arm. They exchanged a glance before Tara made eyes to say that she was going to go back into the other room and check on the woman.

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"This is going to hurt...a lot, so don't be afraid to scream. It might help you. There's nothing I can give you for the pain....Unless you'd prefer I have Tara knock you over the head again with that big rock over there?"

"No!" Willow said quickly when she saw the strange doctor make like she was about to fetch the boulder that sat against the far wall. But her mind left the thought of the rock momentarily to focus on some other aspect of what the doctor had said. So, Tara was her name? Willow repeated the name in her mind, thinking the word over and over again....rolling it around in her brain until the name itself lost all meaning and she was able to dismiss it altogether.

As soon as the doctor gripped her arm Willow felt a nervous panic rise up in her lungs and automatically reached for the hand the blonde was offering her, but Willow pulled back at the last moment, not really wanting to touch the other woman. She found it almost humorous how quickly she was able to forget that these were the people that killed her family.

Willow focused on a point along the crumbling dirt walls of the room they were in. Soft roots tickled the edges of the wall where they wiggled through the thick earth. She was beginning to feel claustrophobic. Willow could feel her chest heaving with the effort it took not to scream.

**************************

TBC

xoxo
Emms

[watty]

From last to first, that's ... inconsequential, in the scheme of things.

Looks like they didn't exactly start off on the right foot. Willow's curtness is understandable, as she is on alert. But she's hurt in the middle of a forest in enemy territory. That isn't the way to endear herself to people who could kill her in an instant (that's what she's been told all her life, right?).

Love your animals - praggots and mussox reinforce the idea that this is a different world.

Despite the initial antipathy, there's something brewing,

...but there was something....No...she wouldn't allow herself to take that thought any further

well thanks for dropping us a bone there .

Sooo, next update Wednesday ?

[Emms]

Hi watson!

Looks like they didn't exactly start off on the right foot. Willow's curtness is understandable, as she is on alert. But she's hurt in the middle of a forest in enemy territory. That isn't the way to endear herself to people who could kill her in an instant (that's what she's been told all her life, right?).

Good point. But I don't think that Willow is exactly overly concerned with endearing herself to Tara or anyone else (yet anyway ) She never exptected to be in the situation she's found herself in afterall. Also, I think she doesn't want to admit it to herself, but she's a little flustered about her initial reaction to seeing Tara. It kinda took her off-gaurd and I don't think she's fully recovered yet, so maybe she's being difficult and curt as a defense mechanism....to protect herself against the mutany of her own brain?

Love your animals - praggots and mussox reinforce the idea that this is a different world.

Thank you darling, it's hard to come up with animal names that sound believable.

well thanks for dropping us a bone there

That's what i'm here for. Anytime watson

Thank you for leaving feedback sweetie.

xoxo
Emms

[A-Rob]

Well, there goes my fantasy of Tara sweeping Willow off her feet and kissing the boo boo's away. Oh well, your way sounds like fun too.
Emotions clashing, niiiiiiiice. Willow felt something at first sight, but her reaction kinda sounded like a knee jerk to me. Not wanting to show weakness to someone who she pretty much considers the enemy. Tara too, I can see interesting debacles in their near future.
Also, gotta love Anya and her none-too-subtle approach. I can just picture Willow's face when Anya started taking off her clothes. And I may be reading too much into this, but I have the feeling that belt of Willow's may cause some trouble if they find out she has a transmitter attached to it.
I'm getting the whole Romeo and Juliet here. Or Juliet and Juliet as it is. Let's hope for a less tragic ending, huh? I'm curious as to how you plan to unite a pacifist and a trained soldier. Should be interesting.
I say, keep 'em coming!

Rob

[Emms]

Here's replies to the most wonderful kittens. Thank you for leaving feedback. I've got the next part nearly finished so it should be posted soon....I think we can expect some sparks to be flying between our girls very soon.
***************************************
Irene

I understand that Willow is thoroughly pissed off at the Shinti for her father's death, but the evilness of some doesn't apply to all.

Sometimes that is a hard life-lesson to learn.

Tara might not know who Willow is or where she came from, but taken that the "Plains" folk and the "Shinti" folk have been dooking it out for a while, should tell Willow that any stranger would be in danger and possibly even killed if they were found near the "Shinti" encampment, and given that logic, Willow should or could come to the conclusion that Tara is not a threat...just there to help.

yes....you are quite right about that, but I don't think Willow is thinking too clearly when it come's to the motives of the Shinty. We must remember that she's been told certain things about them since she was born and has, since her parents death, told herself things about the Shinty that might not necessarily be all that true....So i doubt that it would be all that easy for her to just come to any conclusion that doesn't include badness on the shinties part.

The praggots and the mussox are fun, I keep picturing "Stich", from "Lilo and Stich" as a praggot, can't think of one for the mussox.

Lilo....that's a funny visual...okay, lets go with that. The Praggots now look like Lilo. Now, about the mussox... I kinda pictured them to be something like wild boars.

Go ahead and grab hold of Tara's hand Willow...she wasn't the one who killed your father. Ughh...people and their grudges.

Heck Yeah! I don't think Willow will be able to hold out for very long...afterall this is Tara we're talking about, something tells me that even in the worst of moments she could charm the socks off a Praggot at a hundred paces.

1) Romeo and Juliet vs. 2) Willow and Tara = Will falll in love, even though they came from 2 opposing entities.

1) Opposing families
2) Opposing cultures

Oh well yes....in that case they are a lot like Romeo and Julliet

Emms...again your description of the "Shinti" camp is so vivid. These are people who respect and appreciate mother earth.

yes...they seem to be very spiritual, it's going to be interesting to see if Willow will be able to embrace and appreciate mother earth as much as they.

Thank you for all your wonderful feedback sweetie. And thank you for your continued support of the story....it's very encouraging. Thank you thank you thank you.

*******************************************

Rob

Well, there goes my fantasy of Tara sweeping Willow off her feet and kissing the boo boo's away.

....there's still time for sweeping and boo boo kissage, I wouldn't give up on it so quickly sweetie.

Emotions clashing, niiiiiiiice. Willow felt something at first sight, but her reaction kinda sounded like a knee jerk to me. Not wanting to show weakness to someone who she pretty much considers the enemy. Tara too, I can see interesting debacles in their near future.

You got it exactly right. It was knee jerk, the way she reacted.

Also, gotta love Anya and her none-too-subtle approach. I can just picture Willow's face when Anya started taking off her clothes.

I'm glad you liked Anya's approach...I think it was the first very Anya thing she'd done so far....she's kinda a little bit different here then how the show characterized her being....I guess I was tired of writing the same old moments for her....you know, the ones where she comments about orgasm (not saying that she wont comment about orgasm here though...cause that is sometimes too funny to resist) But she is basically the same Anya we know and love....just a little less loud about it.

And I may be reading too much into this, but I have the feeling that belt of Willow's may cause some trouble if they find out she has a transmitter attached to it.

I think the Shinty have tried to stay away from anything too technological, they might not even know what a transmitter was if they were looking directly at it and it was stamped with the big red letters across the front that read TRANSMITTER.....but that doesn't mean that they can't figure it out....... And we must remember that they are not really engaging in war, so much as they are running away from it on a regular basis, so there's no reason to think that they would have ever even seen a transmitter let alone know what one was.

I'm curious as to how you plan to unite a pacifist and a trained soldier. Should be interesting.

interesting....and romantic... *sigh*

Thank you for reading Rob (and on a little side note, I just wanted to say, that I've read your story, and I absolutly love it. The fight scenes in the beginning were so life like and interesting. Sorry I haven't left feedback yet, but I haven't been able to process well enough yet to leave you the kind of feedback you deserve But I'm workin' on it. )

************************************

xoxo
Emms

[Foomatic]

Hello . . . I really like the atmosphere you've created surrounding our favorite twosome. For whatever reason it reminds me of the Ewok forest from Return of the Jedi (except, minus the Ewoks of course).

Oh, and Willow in a sleeveless shirt and a utility belt?! YUM!

I think it's amazing the way you've seamlessly taken the characters and transported them into another world. Fantabulous!

[hermitfish]

Hi-ya Emms...in the better late than never category (I hope) I just got a chance to read the new story. Interesting setting and you've already colored in parts of their backgrounds with just a handful of words. Well done there. No complaints here on yet another work (you make us writers with three stories look like slackers)...I’m happily along for the ride.

~Cyd

[Emms]

okay kitty cats....here's the next chapter. Enjoy

***********************************
Foomatic

Hello . . . I really like the atmosphere you've created surrounding our favorite twosome.

Thank you.

For whatever reason it reminds me of the Ewok forest from Return of the Jedi (except, minus the Ewoks of course).

yeah...I guess it kinda does.

Oh, and Willow in a sleeveless shirt and a utility belt?! YUM!

um....yeah...agreed.

Thank you so much for leaving feedback sweetie. I hope you enjoy this next part as well.

********************************************
Cyd! hehehehehhehe yay! Like I've said before hun, there's no such thing as late feedback. I'm so glad that you like the story so far! *more insane laughing*

(you make us writers with three stories look like slackers)

yeah...that's my whole mission statement.

******************************************
All disclaimers Apply

The Art of Burning Bridges: Chapter 3

Tara examined her hands as they walked past the curious eyes of the women lining the ground outside their homes. A group of children called out to her happily when they saw her passing. Tara turned and blew them a kiss. She watched as the children held up their dirty hands and pretended to catch the airborn sentiment. Tara smiled. The children always managed to improve her mood, no matter how gruff it might be.

Tara's smile dimmed slightly as she remembered the woman walking next to her. They walked toward the edge of the encampment and with each step they took nearer the perimeter, Tara began to feel more desperate. She didn't know why though, shouldn't she be glad to be getting rid of the minor inconveniece of this woman's presence?

"They like you. "

Tara looked up at the sound of the stranger's voice but she was too lost in the confusion of her own feelings to answer properly.Tara nodded in response, but offered no further explaination. "How d-does your s-shoulder feel? Better I hope."

"It's a little sore...but I'm tough."

They fell into silence, again walking without words. They reached the edge of the encampment and stood there looking at eachother akwardly.

When the stranger didn't speak, Tara felt the well of the qestions she'd been holding in since their first walk together earlier that day tumble out of her. "Who are you? Where are you from?" Tara didn't mean to sound so accusative, but she was sure that was the way it sounded to the woman looking at her. Tara had to know though, it was a morbid curiosity, but she couldn't let this woman walk away from her without knowing at least the basics of who she was.

"Willow...and I'm....just passing through. " What should she have said to that? Let the enemy know that she was a member of a group trying to destroy their way of life? No..she coudn't do that...yet. She wasn't out of the woods, so to speak and still believed her life depended on keeping that information a secret.

"You were just passing through?" Tara asked with raised eyebrows, her curiosity apparently anything but sated. She'd never met anyone who would dare to simply be passing through within the dense forest of trees...there were too many things out there that wouldn't mind to make a midnight snack out of the redhead. Tara felt her cheeks warm and she spoke quickly, to cover her feelings lest they show. "Do you have a camp around here?" she found herself wanting to keep the dialogue between them flowing.

"No."

"Then you should stay and eat with us this night. " The words were out before she could stop them; like tiny daggers of treason they hung in the air between them. Tara couldn't take back the offer so she had no choice but to stand there, intermingled within the words that stalled in the air. She was almost grateful when it looked as if Willow might refuse her request.

Willow started to refuse, wanting nothing else but to extract herself from this situation, but something stopped her. If she stayed it would be the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the camp and learn as much as she could about the inner workings of these people. She wouldn't be much of a soldier if she let her heart dictate the actions she took. She had to be real about this, and stop letting this woman get her all worked up. Decided, she nodded in agreement. but said nothing more.

Tara felt the muscles inside her stomach flip when the woman didn't refuse.

Willow wished away the fire in her belly she felt when the blonde smiled at her. Willow had the urge to lift the woman's chin in her hand and peer more steadily into her blue eyes. But she refused to acknowledge this even as she felt the tremor of her hand as it started to do just that. Willow was scared. She took a step back. "Is there a place where I can...I'm a little....dirty."

*************************************
"Okay, why did I just do that?" Tara cursed under her breath as she walked toward her maternal dwelling. Tara called herself offering hospitality and nothing more, but why did she feel the slightest twinge of excitement at the thought of the redheaded stranger remaining in their camp for another few hours? Maybe Anya was right, maybe she had no more sense about these matters than a wee babe.

Tara gently pushed aside the covering that led into the dark chamber. Out of respect, the walls were lined in wood and the pungent aroma of burning spices engulfed Tara in it's rising scent. Tara's eyes came to rest on her mother, asleep on the elevated pallet their people had built for her.

Her mother had been this way every day for the last Ashkak cycle...weak and sleeping, waking only to eat the broth Illiana, her life compainion and Tara's other mother brought to her each day.

Tara took in the sight of Lana. The older woman's warm, grey eyes had the lines of age around the corners, her long brown hair, braided into a thin braid that trailed down her back and frayed outward as it was too thin to be confined properly. The braid ended just at the base of her spine. Her hair whisped around her face creating a thin halo of light brown hair that wouldn't be pressed down. Lana looked thin, and Tara noticed the way the traditional Shinty dress she wore seemed to hang from her thin body.

Tara smiled as the woman rose from her place next to Tara's mother's bed. Lana was walking toward Tara in warm strides. The older woman embraced Tara in her arms, hugging her tightly. Tara breathed in the familar scent of spice and homemade soap that had always been a part of her other mother's presence. "Lana" Tara hugged the woman tightly, suddenly missing the days of her youth, when she'd been small enough to climb up on Lana's lap to hear the stories the woman would tell her about the creatures that walked the forest at night, and about the clan's past and their anscesters before them.

"How is she today Lana?" Tara asked bringing her gaze to look once again at her biological mother's sleeping form.

Tara could tell that Lana was holding back tears. Tara let out a long ragged breath. She knew Lana woudn't tell her if it had gotten really bad.

"She's better knowing that you are here my Tara. "

Lana brushed a stray strand of hair back behind Tara's face. Her fingers felt rough on Tara's skin, but Tara welcomed their presence as the rough touch of her other mother's fingers reminded her of the way things used to be. Tara choked on a sob that errupted unexpectedly from her lungs. She clung to Lana for a moment all at once feeling like a child again. But Lana did as she always had, she held her, stroking comforting circles on Tara's back until the blonde calmed enough to be held away from her other mother's warm comfort.

Even though the sounds of anguish betrayed the pledge Tara had made to herself in the forest earlier that day as she'd cried in her hands, she wouldn't allow actual tears to fall. She wouldn't cry ever again. Tara pulled back from Lana's embrace, a tremulous smile just barely touching her lips. "Will you be joining us this evening?" Tara asked warmly. It wasn't good for Lana to be forever surrounded by the immanent death of the woman she and Tara both loved.

"Not tonight Tara."

"Lana....you can't..." But Tara couldn't finish as Lana was already holding up a weathered hand to stop her speech.

"I can not leave your mother...not now sweetness."

Tara nodded her head in acceptance, as she'd already known that this would be Lana's response. "I love you Lana." Tara said these words from her heart.

"I know you do my Tara. Now go."

Tara turned around as Lana playfully scolded her with a swat to the rear. As Tara left her parents dwelling she heard Lana call teasingly from behind the closed cloth that hung over the entrance-way.

"Have a good time and don't drink too much of that funny sauce..you know it doesn't sit well in your stomach!"

Tara turned, poking her head back in through the curtain. " You always worry too much Lana."

"That's my purpose in this life Tara, haven't you figured that out yet?"

Tara kissed the woman on the cheek, then went off to locate Willow.

************************

TBC

xoxo
Emms

[GayNow]

Emms,

I'm sorry I haven't replied to this story thus far. But know that I've been keeping up with each post.

I'm so enthralled by yet another of your wonderful works! The detail you put into the setting is just amazing. I'm in awe, truly I am.

I can't say anything different than what others before me have already said. So I will just leave it with this: YAY!!!!!! (and please don't forget about your other stories. )

Carleen

[AlysonGoddess]

YAY! IM loving this story so far.. Is willow really going to betray tara? Anyways keep it up!

Erin

[A-Rob]

Things are getting good, real good! I wonder how long it will take Willow to realize that the Shinty really are pacifists. I'm betting she's going to spy and plot, but as her feelings for Tara develop she'll start seeing that the Shinty aren't all that bad. I can't wait to see Tara's reaction to Willow's origins. If you're going for the real drama it's going to happen when they establish a relationship thus breaking Tara's trust on Willow. Major angst. Maybe, just maybe could you lessen the blow a little? Less with the tears, more with the happy? Pretty please?

I liked Tara's second mom, but... How exactly did that happen? Is Tara the biological daughter of two women? Or does she have a father too? And what about magic, is there some kind of magic going on? Willow doesn't seem to be a witch, but is Tara? I'm full of questions today.

And to answer your side note: thanks, don't worry about posting feedback to me right now, I'm happy knowing that you read and liked my fanfic. When you think you can write me then I'll be happy to read and answer.

Wonderful work you got here, can't wait for more.

Rob

[Emms]

Carleen Thank you for your kind words, and I most certainly wont be forgetting about my other stories... I'm mostly just working on Catching Sunflowers as of lately, since it's almost done...but I just couldn't help starting this story (I have a sickness..... )

************************************

Erin

Is willow really going to betray tara?

Naaaaaaaaaaa

************************************

Rob

I'm betting she's going to spy and plot, but as her feelings for Tara develop she'll start seeing that the Shinty aren't all that bad.

You are very perceptive but that's all I'm going to say about that.

If you're going for the real drama it's going to happen when they establish a relationship thus breaking Tara's trust on Willow.

hehe....I always go for the real drama

I liked Tara's second mom, but... 1) How exactly did that happen? 2) Is Tara the biological daughter of two women? Or does she have a father too? 3) And what about magic, is there some kind of magic going on? 4) Willow doesn't seem to be a witch, but is Tara? I'm full of questions today.

well....you are quite the question mouse today let me see if I can asnwer all those questions and still not give anything away.

1) I'll be answering that in the next update.
2) nope
3) no magic
4) neither of them is a witch...if fact, witches don't exist in this world.

there...I hope those were appropriately cryptic.

thank you for your constant support Rob...I'm sorry I couldn't answer your questions in a more thourough manner...but I don't want to give anything away just yet.

****************************

xoxo
Emms

[A-Rob]

It's ok, thanks for answering the best you could. I wouldn't want you to give away the plot either, it's much more fun to be caught by surprise. Specially if it's a good surprise, which it is, right? I can wait for it to actually happen, meanwhile I'll speculate.

Rob

[JustSkipIt]

Hey Emms,
I missed an entire update and got here to read two which is just as well I suppose. Lots happened. To me, it seems that the predominant factor is the battle going on inside each woman. Willow can feel a warmth toward Tara but she's so conditioned to hate the Shinty Folk that she has to keep battling it down. Tara is more open to the warmth but feels that she has such responsibilties. Quite hard.

The interaction with Tara's mother was quite lovely. I'm glad that her non-biological mother and she have such a strong bond which includes physical affection. That is quite nice. I'm assuming that Tara's mother's partner holds no power in the tribe and would not be able to assume her responsibilities. Who is conducting those responsibilities now that her mother is incapacitated?

I think it will be interesting to see the interaction with Willow when Tara returns, whether Willow will detect anything and want to comfort Tara.

One thing that interests me is that the Shinty Folk don't seem the anarchist slaughter people type. Maybe Willow has been the victim of bad PR or brainwashing?

Finally... I hate to say this but I will because I always enjoy and respect your stories and your writing. These last two updates seem to have been posted very quickly and not proofread very closely. I noted probably 5-6 errors in each post that I would not have expected. In all those cases, I had to reread to figure out the issue and it intefered with the flow of the story.

Ok, well done and keep it coming. Debra

[Emms]

Rob

I can wait for it to actually happen, meanwhile I'll speculate.

speculate away dude. I always say that there's nothing better for you than a good speculation.

**********************************

Debra,

1) The interaction with Tara's mother was quite lovely. I'm glad that her non-biological mother and she have such a strong bond which includes physical affection. That is quite nice. 2) I'm assuming that Tara's mother's partner holds no power in the tribe and would not be able to assume her responsibilities. 3) Who is conducting those responsibilities now that her mother is incapacitated?

1) thank you. I wanted Tara to have two strong parental figures in this story. I've got so many stories going on where Tara's father is a jerk and I kinda wanted to look at it from a different angle....because Tara's problem in this story doesn't stem from the fact that one half of her parental unit isn't supportive.

2) I haven't really gotten into all that yet. But, I think where I'm going with it is that responsibilities is passed down through bloodline...

3) The shinty folk have a band of elders that help to oversee the happenings of the group...this is another thing I haven't gotten into yet, but the elders are acting in the role Tara's mother usually holds until Tara's mother dies and Tara is able to take over control.

One thing that interests me is that the Shinty Folk don't seem the anarchist slaughter people type. Maybe Willow has been the victim of bad PR or brainwashing?

I know that a couple people have done quite a bit of speculation regarding this aspect of the story...but as of right now, I'm not saying anything either way....

Finally... I hate to say this but I will because I always enjoy and respect your stories and your writing. These last two updates seem to have been posted very quickly and not proofread very closely. I noted probably 5-6 errors in each post that I would not have expected. In all those cases, I had to reread to figure out the issue and it intefered with the flow of the story.

Thanks Debra, I did speed through the writing process this time, which probably account for 50 percent of those errors, the other 50 percent would be because of the fact that I stink at editing.

xoxo
Emms

[watty]

The little exchange in the beginning speaks volumes. Tara not wanting Willow to leave then blurting out the invitation to stay. Willow keeping her status as "enemy" secret but secretly happy to be staying on a personal level.

The interaction between Tara and her other mother is very sweet, and bittersweet. Tara's biological mother is obviously very sick and the problem of succession looms large.

Lots to think about, lots to come, hopefully smoochies sometime soon, conflict too. Keep it up!

[Emms]

Hi Kittens! I just wanted to drop a note to say that the previous two chapters have now been edited by yours truly and should now read more smoothly ....I hope.

*********************************

watson

The little exchange in the beginning speaks volumes. Tara not wanting Willow to leave then blurting out the invitation to stay. Willow keeping her status as "enemy" secret but secretly happy to be staying on a personal level.

hehe...it seems as if they can't even help but want to be near eachother

The interaction between Tara and her other mother is very sweet, and bittersweet. Tara's biological mother is obviously very sick and the problem of succession looms large.

yes it does...

Lots to think about, lots to come, hopefully smoochies sometime soon, conflict too. Keep it up!

conflict and smoochies definitly on the menu. Thank you for the feedback watson.

xoxo
Emms

[hermitfish]

I find myself to be continually intrigued by the factors surrounding the girls. The rich and original setting, their views, supporting characters, etc. Unfortunately life has been knocking me about lately (and I don't mean the earthquake Sun. at my house). So rather than speculating and doing that word...thinking....I'll provide simple equations:

Emms' stories=wonderful
World=terrible
Emms' stories + World=tolerable

Thanks for another update hun.

~Cyd

[Foof]

This is quite an interesting fic - though I shouldn't be surprised as I've read some of your other fics and have been found them to be quite wonderful reads as well.

The interaction between Willow and Tara is spot on; however, the part that spoke volumes to me (as it did for Willow) was in the last segment as Tara was being greeted by her fellow Shinty-folk. The children's reactions, especially, were vividly illustrated and really brought out who Tara is - not just who she is to us as the character we all recognize, but also who she is to those she "lives" with and to those seeing her for the first time (i.e. Willow).

Pardon the ramblings of this - my first post - but I really wanted to let you know that the last bit there was quite touching and really spoke to me of the character of Tara.

[Artemis]

Big thanks to 'Agent Hot Tamale' Irene for telling me to check this fic out, I love it! Discovering the two new cultures - the Shinty Folk directly, and Willow's Plains People though her thoughts and reactions to what's around her - is a fascinating experience, which I'm looking forward to continuing in future chapters. And I love how Willow and Tara have such an adversarial meeting, and both of them are fraught with inner conflict over their reactions to each other. It promises to be a bumpy and entertaining ride. Aside from them, I found the scene between Tara and Lana especially touching, full of warmth and sadness mingled together. Great work, you've got another devoted follower on this fic

[irishgrl3]

Wow Emms, I don't know how I missed it but you started a new fic! Girl, I don't know how you do it. So impressive!

Wonderful start in your first 3 chapters, I really like the setting and the characters so far. I can't wait to see how you get these two from "the opposite sides of the track" together.
-anna