9 Getting to know you

I suspect those three were not as fit nor as used to walking as I was. After six or seven miles I could hear the groans and the calls to sit down. Haiyang tried to keep the two girls going but as time wore on even he began to fall behind. I could tell by their laboured breathing and the increase in their sweat levels, they had to stop.
" We stop soon. Need to reach water and safe ground. Then we camp and I hunt." I turned and started walking again, only this time I slowed my pace to a meditation stroll. I could smell water ahead and it was sweet and cool. A perfect spot to bathe and camp.
 
It was dusk when we arrived at the pool. I laid my bundle down and stripping off, walked into the water. Hastily, Haiyang turned his face away. He had never seen a naked female before and this one seemed to have no shame.
Min looked at his distress, "Its OK brother, she hasn't travelled with people before, so wouldn't understand that this is wrong." She comforted him and calmed him down. 
Xin Yi looked and grinned, shaking her head in disbelief, "She is of the woods, why should she be any different. We travel with her, so we travel in her world and with her rules," and with that Xin Yi turned, and, heading towards the pool, called back, "I will join her in the same way, so look away Haiyang unless you want your misplaced prudishness shocked."
 
I felt refreshed as soon as the water touched my skin. One of the two girls joined me. "I am Xin Yi. I am fifteen. What is your name?"
"I am Niao. I am sixteen years. I walked four years now. You in village all time?"
"Yes. Our mother and father died so we were pushed out on the street. We been on streets four years too. We are like you, but different."
Xin Yi was a bright faced girl. Full of life and hope. She had bruises all over her body from being beaten and the skin on her face was marked by some disease she had had.
I smiled weakly, and automatic remembrance of emotions. "We same, yes but I don't get ~~~~ (pointing to the bruises), just ~~~~ (I gestured biting)" 
"Oh, these? They're bruises from where people have hit me with brooms, or thrown chairs at me. You," she gestured my movement as she said the word, "what bites you? Wolves? Dogs?" I nodded. "That must hurt," shaking her head in reply.
I was used to it and had learned ways to deal with the injuries. "It OK, now I heal it. I have plants. I make string and needle. I sew it up." I looked at her. "Time for me to hunt. I not smell. They not know I'm there," and with that I walked out of the pool, dressed and went hunting. Would need more tonight that's for sure.
 

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