Explainations Rating: the same Disclaimer: I luv Anna, therefor I own her! lol Chapter 5 Anna groaned in frustration, her head twisting to try and spot the boys behind her, now busy tying her hands and hollering. Her eyes rolled skyward in exhasperation. She’d heard boys were annoying, but this was beyond her worst nightmare. She winced as her hands were tugged tightly, making sure she was securely tied to the post before she watched the children run in circles, skipping and hopping happily around her. Taking in the scenery to where she’d been drug, her eyes darted around to survey. She was tied to a large post in the center of what looked to be a miniature city. Leaves covered the ground of soil and grass. Foliage hung above her head like an ethereal kaleidoscope twirling to unheard music. The vines that hung above her were like none she’d ever seen, blowing gently in hues of magenta, sunflower, sky blue and of course, green. She’d never seen such a beautiful sight before as her eyes watched birds flutter from the vines up into the blue sky. Directly before her, however, was the largest tree she had ever laid eyes on. It’s massive trunk could swallow nearly half of her father’s ship and the vines that coiled themselves around it were as thick as her waist. Her eyes widened as she looked above into the treetop. It was a city! Children ran rampant across bridges and swept the skyline on large hooked vines. The laughter could be heard echoing all the way down and Anna suddenly wondered how her father had never been able to find them with all the ruckus they made. Surely the forest itself, then, was magical. She narrowed her eyes once more as a person to her left cleared their throat loudly. She’d let down her guard again, not that she’d had a reason to have it up, being tied to a post and all. Darting her head and her eyes to the boy she’d been chasing, she pinned him with her iciest glare before closing her eyes and turning her nose up at him. He simply crossed his arms and smirked. “Thought you had me huh?” he spoke and she turned back, hearing his voice for the first time. Anna mentally rolled her eyes at the boy’s over-confidence in himself. Obviously he had no clue what-so-ever, just whom he was dealing with. Lifting her gaze once more, her eyes staring at him deadpan. Silently she realized just how tall he was. He hadn’t seemed that tall before, but now he stood nearly a foot above her. Looking down, she raised an eyebrow. Ah. The whole flying/floating thing seemed to be in use quite a lot these days. Turning her eyes back up she grinned manically. “Obviously,” she started, her tone dark and her slight accent thickening, “I underestimated your resources…boy.” She smirked as she watched his face flush with anger. She had a feeling her father called him the same thing. Confusion sunk in as his eyes suddenly shifted from agitation to pleasant surprise. It was then, she noticed, that he wasn’t in fact looking at her, but beyond her. Twisting her head around to get a view of what made the him so happy, she took in the sight with wonder and slight amusment. Another girl. And an Indian girl at that… The girl stood with a half smile, curious of Anna, her dark black braids swirling around her arms. Her deep brown eyes glittered in the setting sunlight; her tanned skin looking darker than normal. She wore traditional clothing, brown, light hides with brightly colored beads and paints forming shapes on her dress. The moccasins on her feet held fast with wrapping, secured tightly to her ankles. In her arms was a basket full of corn and fruits, all fresh looking, nearly causing Anna’s mouth to physically water. The girl looked Anna over for a moment before turning back to Peter and the boys. “My father sent these for your tribe, Peter Pan. He sends his blessings in this season of much fruitfulness.” Again she smiled before following Peter down a flight of dirt stairs and disappearing underground, leaving Anna to watch all of the other boys scurry into the treehouse. The smell of hot food slipped into her senses and Anna felt as though she might cry with hunger. Anna sighed and leaned her head back, thumping it harshly, though unintentionally, for the third time that evening. She’d been tied to the post for hours, exactly how long she wasn’t sure, but she did know that as of that moment her arms and legs had gone numb. How she remained standing was beyond her. Perhaps it was her strength shining through, or perhaps it was the rope that nearly cut off her wind pipe. The children certainly had no mercy, of that she was sure. They would make useful pirates, if not decent ones. Earlier that night, a few of them had come running out, laughing and chortling to themselves. Before Anna could look up fully she’d been pelted with fruits and vegetables. Groaning inside, she felt a slight pain tug at her heart but quickly pushed it away from her. Hearing a snap to her right, Anna struggled to turn her neck once more, the rough rope scratching at the burns already taking form on her neck. The Indian girl stood there once more, covered in the shadows of the trees, her eyes glittering and studying the girl. It was long moments before either of them moved. It was the girl that made the first movement, stepping forward. “Peter says you’re a pirate….” She said as if not believing her ears. Anna ran her mind over her choices. Talk to the girl and get more information or ignore her and possibly starve. The choice, of course, had already been made. “Yes.” The Indian girl’s eyebrows shot up, as if she had expected Anna to not possess a voice, nor the ability to speak. Stepping in front of her, Anna raised one of her own brows. Obviously the girl wasn’t afraid. “You’re a girl though…” her voice suddenly sounded small and cautious. “That makes no difference. If your good at what you do, then you are. If you are not, well then you shouldn’t be there.” Anna said, pride showing in her tone. There was a silence before the girl spoke once more. “What is your name?” Anna’s head moved back in shock, smacking her head once again in the process. Hissing slightly in pain, she shook it off then glared at the girl in confusion. She’d never been asked that except when being interrogated. “Why?” “Because I would like to know. I don’t want to call you ‘girl’ or ‘pirate’ and a name seems easier.” Her hands clasped together and her head tilted to the side slightly. “Mine is Tigerlily. I’m the Chief’s daughter.” She smiled slightly. To Anna, this girl was a complete confusion. She was being friendly with someone who probably hunted her people or at least fought them on sight. “Why are you being nice to me? I’m a pirate.” “But you’re also a person.” A slight grin took to her face as she reached up and pulled a piece of tomato off of the girl’s shoulder. “And you’re the only other girl my age I’ve ever seen.” She blushed slightly and Anna couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on her own face. “It is the same for me. I’ve never known another girl my age, or if I did, it was one of my mother’s whores always looking at me as if I were there to steal their business.” Anna sneered, her eyes turning downward in the thought of her mother. Tigerlily’s eyes turned downward as well. “I never knew my mother. She died in my birthing. My father says she was fit to be Chief, if she was not a woman. I wish I could have known her.” Anna looked up, slight wetness forming in her eyes. “I wish I never knew my mother.” Tigerlily’s eyes widened in surprise. “Why? Why would you not want your mother?” Quickly, Anna’s eyes turned cold and she glared up at Tigerlily, unaware of the hot wet tears that were beginning to fall from her eyes. “I would rather have grown up alone or died alone than have a mother who tried to whore me off for more money or sell me so she could have a better pair of shoes. My mother didn’t give a damn for me but that I could make her more money. If she was not dead now, I would go after her and do her the favor. She was a cruel horrid woman. I will never be like her. I will never sell my body for things or money. I hated her! I’ll always hate her and I hope that she is taken to the hottest pits of hell.” She gasped, the tears came in waves now, Tigerlily’s eyes widening. Without warning, the Indian girl moved forward engulfing Anna in her arms. Though she was tied to the post, she still felt the hug as if she were not. This girl had so much warmth and kindness. She could see it; feel it radiating from her body. Her tears fell hard on the girls shoulder and for once, just once, Anna gave in and tilted her head down, her skin resting on the soft padding on the girls shoulder, sobbing softly and quietly. She felt Tigerlily’s hand come up, softly stroking her own dark hair and whispering soft soothing words of her own language in her ear. In her head she thought, just this once. Just this once she would let someone take care of her. Even if only for a moment. Just inside the entrance to the treehouse, Peter stood, his face neutral as he watched Tigerlily engulf the pirate girl in a hug. He’d followed her to the doorway, being silent so not to startle her, but wanting to be sure for her safety. He’d been able to hear their entire conversation, his ears still ringing with the girls words. He’d never known a mother other than Wendy and Jane, and they sounded nothing like this girl’s mother. In that moment, Peter Pan realized that the girl wasn’t as horrible and mean as she’d like to think. Deciding to stay until Tigerlily came in once more, Peter turned his focus back on the two girls. Tigerlily stayed with her as she sobbed for a few moments longer, before pulling away. Tigerlily looked at her sadly. “I’m so sorry, but I must go. My father will be very upset if I do not return to my village soon. I do hope to see you again.” She smiled kindly as Anna nodded. Tigerlily started off into the woods. “Wait!” Anna yelled to her, the girl haulting in her tracks, curious. Anna smiled slightly. “Anna. My name. It’s Anna.” Tigerlily smiled and nodded before waving and darting off into the thickness of the brush. Anna put her head down again. Her feeling had started to overcome her, her mind a blur from the days events. Just why she’d decided to go alone was beyond her, but in her heart she knew this was something she had to do alone. Hearing more movement, her head snapped up. Her eyes immediately narrowed as she watched Peter approaching her. His face, she realized was different. He didn’t have that arrogant smirk on his lips and his eyes seemed to be studying her, not criticizing, just studying her own and her face. He stepped forward until he was mearly a foot or less away from her. Anna looked in his eyes, her own still stained red with her tears. His hand suddenly came up and her head moved back. Gasping, she cursed silently as she hit her head once more. She would defiantly have a mark in the morning. He paused before moving his arm again. She felt his fingers brush lightly across her face, her cheeks and she shut her eyes tightly, turning her head downward slightly. The only times she’d been touched like this was before she’d been slapped senseless by one of her mothers customers after refusing him, or the guards that had captured her after her mother’s death. But the pain never came. Instead, his hand moved away moments later and she looked up to see his eyes glancing down at his hand, sadness sweeping briefly across his face. She looked at his fingers and noticed the wet stains on them. He’d seen her tears. He’d seen her weakness. Peter looked back up at Anna before moving to the side of the post. Pulling out his dagger from his side sheath, he held it up, Anna’s eyes squinting as she watched it move down. Suddenly, she felt no pain, no discomfort, save the scratches and bruising on her neck and wrists. Stepping away from the post, she suddenly realized, was not a good idea as she collapsed. Her hands held her up, but her legs had gone numb. Before she could react, she was hoisted into the arm, lifted in a pair of arms. Peter said nothing as he took to the sky, towards the top of the treehouse. Anna’s arms flew around his neck and she glanced down over his shoulder as the ground moved farther and farther away. Peter swooped down into the doorway of an empty room, pausing for a moment to look it over. He felt Anna’s breath, fast and warm on his neck, her heart racing from the flight. Moving to the nearest bed, he sat her down apon it and looked at her. “You need to sleep. Don’t try to leave, the lost boys won’t like it.” He grinned slightly before moving away and jumping out once more into the air, soaring downward. Anna tried to sit up, but the weariness of the day quickly found her and she collapsed onto the bed, sleep consuming her. OH...MY...GODS! Could that have taken me LONGER? Geez! I feel like slapping myself, but I wont. ^_^ lol Thank you guys for being so patient (even though some of you probably weren't) and sticking with me. I'm seriously going to try and do more. I've just had so many appointments and what with work, but im really starting to get back into the story and the writers block is being blown up, so don't you worry, i'll get more out within the next two weeks if not within the next week. Thanks again guys!!! Special thanks to Angelina who inspired me. Luv ya sis!! Review thankx: Faith, Trust, and Pixie D: Lol bad fanfic.net! bad! Thanx again and lemme know what you think ok? Raven: Lol feel free to get carried away. Lol Peter’s not weak, just caught off guard. Curious you could say. *Snorts* a Matrix fight? *Giggles* hmm well I’ll try lol. Not sure though. Thanx again though! Elodie: Really? Wow insite I ddn’t know. Lol Yeah this is I suppose one of those ‘he’s older’ fics. Ya know where they make him older for their own sick purposes? Lol Lamepunknbored: Lol thanx. Sorry this is taking so long Dancingfae: LOL ok I REALLY love the reviews now. Hehe your so bad. Lol fly guy fly! SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG! Hehe stupid caps lock… *kills comp* Bri Bri: As I said, love the ideas. Wow this one was really long too. Mind if I write it as a different individual story:? Nice ideas. Mary Kay: Ooooo attempted murder. *Cackles* no no anya, no lol still a neat idea thanx! ^_^ Shadowed Psychoboxer: LMAO *hands you more?* Q: And the Winner is….Q! *hands a bouquet of flowers and a pot of gold? Lol jk. Good idea. Lol its cute, its easy and I can expaaaand on it! Thanx again and hope you like this one! Your idea will be used in the next one. I'm gonna change it around a bit though, you'll see what I mean *winks* Secondstarr2theright OMG im on your favs list? *cries with happiness* this is SO much more than I ever hoped. *feels like she won something.* Lol ok well I hope you enjoy the installment! They will come quicker. Elle: Wow, read my mind. Lol oops wait, its up lmao. Anyways thanx! I’ll finish it as soon as I can. A/N: just a note peeps, there are a CRAP LOAD more chappies coming but don’t worry I’ll work nonstop when im not in the clinic, dr’s office or the hospital *sighs*.