The Jungle [Rated T][Private]

Nariko had been walking for quite awhile. He was really hot, the weather was very humid here. The jungle was relatively thick, but he had found himself on some kind of pathway. If he ever stepped off of this path, he would probably be lost within seconds. So he stayed on the path, and kept walking. Where would it take him? He wasn't sure, but he would find out soon enough. Not in too much of a rush, Nariko was walking slowly, leisurely, enjoying the scenery. The trees on either side of the path were big, with thick trunks and large vines growing over them. The vines looked quite healthy, as if unaffected by the radiation. They were huge, and although he didn't know how big normal jungle vines were before the apocalypse, he thought that the added radiation had made these even bigger. He couldn't really tell with the trees, the vines covered them mostly, and he didn't know the difference between alive and dead when it was just a trunk. The path he was on was dirt, no grass on it. It was generally smooth, without many rocks, and not much holes or anything of the like. It probably wasn't a natural path, something human had created it. And to be in such good condition, it was probably relatively recently.

Up ahead, the path got much wider, the trees on either side disappearing. When he reached it, he realized that he was in a clearing, some sort of meadow. There was grass on the sides of the path, but the path itself was still dirt. Having been walking for awhile, he decided this would be a nice place for a break. He veered off the path towards the left, and sat down in the grass. It felt nice to sit down. Laying back, he looked at the sky, clouds floating around, far above his head. This place was calm, relaxing. He relaxed his body, watching the clouds.

Where am I? she thought glancing around at the sceanery. She had remembered walking, then some flying object had swooped down and carried her to this foreign land. She pictured the thing. It had feathers, she remembered. And long talloned feet, along with a sharp pointed beak. She continued looking around her. The vegetation seemed to be still growing, somewhat. But it didnt look normal. It seemed to be enhanced by something. Something, unnatural. Up ahead of her, something floated in the air. Smiling, she ran towards it giggling.

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Nariko was laying on the ground, enjoying the peacefulness of this place. There didn't seem to be any chaos here, it was nice. The clouds floated by in the sky, slowly, relaxing him even more. Was he going to fall asleep? Maybe he would, it was so quiet and nice here. There even seemed to be an innocent laughter in the air. Like a young girl giggling. It seemed to be getting louder. Nariko lifted his head towards the sound. Yes, there was someone giggling near him. Curiosity got to him, and he stood up. Maybe he could make a new friend today. Walking towards the sound, he wondered who he might find.

Nariko could hear the person talking now. She was definitely a girl, and probably young. She was laughing now, playing with something. Nariko felt somewhat bad, like he was spying on someone. She probably didn't know he was there at all, and if she did, she didn't show it. So that he wouldn't scare her when he found her, he called out.

"Hello? Is someone there?"

He knew that someone was there, the wind couldn't possibly sound that much like a voice. It sounded much better to ask though, and not to know. He still couldn't see her, there were some trees between the two of them. Having hopefully alerted her of his presence, he continued to walk towards her.

"I am behind the trees. Please don't be afraid."

He had come to some trees, her voice was coming from behind them. He walked to the left, trying to walk around them. After a short moment, he could see her. She was a small girl, with mousy features. He folded his right arm over his stomach and bowed his head.

"Hello."

Raising his head again, he waited for her reply.

He laughed slightly to himself. She had seemed confused when he had bowed to her. It was funny watching her reaction. Was it that unexpected of him that he would bow to her? He wanted to make a good impression, and it had seemed like a good way to do so. He smiled at the young girl.

"Hello."

He started to walk towards her, and stopped a few feet away from her.

"My name is Nariko. And what might your name be?"

Nariko's reaction was quick. He grabbed his pants and lifted them back up, using his strength to make sure they went up fast, even if the little girl kept hold of them. His pants had gotten to his knees when he had gotten them back up. Had she just done what he thought she had? He stumbled back a few steps from her. Adjusting his pants, he gave her a confused and embarrassed look. Maybe it would be a good idea to keep a few feet of distance between them until they talked a bit more. At least she had only grabbed his pants, and nothing more. He had also noticed that she hadn't told him her name.

She had taken out a rusty hatchet and said that she wanted to play. Maybe it was a good idea that he kept some distance. She was younger then he though, and a girl. He wan't going to take out his weapon unless he really truly had to.

"Well, Nezumi, How would you like to play?"

He looked at her young face, and at the hatchet that she was playing with. She didn't seem like the type to like fighting. What was she going to do? He would have to pay attention to her when she was around him. Surely she had an innocent game in mind anyway. She might even have just taken out the hatchet to see his reaction, whether he would become scared or not. He smiled back at her.

She seemed to like the idea of playing. He laughed to himself as she pulled him to the road. She had dropped her hatchet, that was a good and a bad thing. She could get it later he supposed. How would they play? Would she choose to play tag? Hide and seek? Whatever she chose, it would probably be fun, she seemed to be full of energy.

She had stopped in the middle of the road. Letting go of his sleeve, she was picking up rocks. What kind of game did she want to play, he wondered. He watched what she was doing, maybe he could figure it out before she told him. He couldn't. What game would they play?

She took off in search of a paved road. Nariko was slightly surprised by this. He hadn't seen a paved road in a while. In this jungle environment, would there be any paved roads at all? There might be... He started to run in the direction that she had took off in. He wasn't sprinting, but if he just walked he would never catch up with her. He wondered if she would find a paved road or not.

Up ahead, Nezumi slowed down. Nariko caught up to her. Why had she slowed down? She was giggling slightly. What was she planning for him... Nariko looked around. He couldn't see any pavement around them yet. Had she decided that she wanted to play another game now?

"Something wrong?"

He looked at her giggling. She was planning something, he knew it. How mischievous would her plan be, he wondered.

Nariko got beside her. They were running at the same speed now. It wasn't even really running, more like jogging. He looked at the little girl. She was obviously planning something. Here we go, he thought to himself.

Nariko was slightly confused now. She had suddenly turned around and sprinted off. She must be playing with him, he thought. Nariko started running in the direction she had gone, not sprinting like she was, only a slow run. What would she do when he caught up to her?