-------------------------------------------------------------------------- WILLOW-BIRD-FINDS-HIS-LOVE-6 "Willow Bird Finds His Love" (Part #6 of 8) Copyright 1996 by Vince Water -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm about to call out for Song Bird but stop myself. The bear could be near. My eyes follow the horse's prints. They take a straight path between the Tall Trees. I eagerly follow them. My body grows weary. I'm still cold and weak from my escape from the stream. I must keep going on though. After a while the horse tracks become unguided. They turn this way and that. It worries me. Has the boy fallen off? I find no sign of it. A horse's snort fills me with hope. My heart soars! I past a wide tree and find them. Pai-alucia has found a bush to nibble on. Sprawled over his back is Song Bird, unconscious; his right hand is still clutching the reins. Over his butt are the deep claw marks from the bear. Fresh blood wells up from the wound. I reach down to the ground for moss. Big Horn's knife is there. I tuck it in my thong belt. With the moss, I press down on the boy's butt to keep him from bleeding to death. My friend becomes alert. "Willow Bird..." the boy whispers. "I'm hurting bad." "Keep still!" I warn him. "I must stop your blood from running!" While keeping the pressure of the moss on his wounds, I lay my head over his legs and rest. My weariness has made me faint. The boy trembles below me in pain. Pai-alucia remains still. It makes me glad that we have with us such a fine horse. The shaman's prophecy fills my head. His visions have all come true! All that remains to unfold is for the bear spirit to chase us back to camp. I lift my head up and take a look around. No signs of him. Yet my heart begins to race with fear. We must be leaving now! I carefully mount up behind my friend. His body is laid along side the horse with his head in my lap. I keep pressure on his wound. I coax Pai-alucia forward. We take the trail that will lead us down from this dark and gloomy place. The path is steep. Pai-alucia keeps his footing while I hold onto my young friend as we descend. It seems to take forever until we reach the valley. The boy sleeps in my lap. His wound bleeds only a little. Hairs rise on the back of my neck when I feel dark eyes behind us. I gain the courage to look back. No bear. Why then do I feel his menacing presence? The path towards camp goes on and on. Our pace is a very slow one. I must keep Pai-alucia to a walk so that my friend's wounds won't open. He's already lost much blood. My head is in a daze. I've grown weary from all that has happened this day. How can I face the Mahyee-na rite this night? I'm often looking back for the bear. I voice my pleas unto Him for my friend's life. Without the aid of a shaman, Song Bird will die. I must get him back to camp. Where are all the braves? Is their hunting finished? I risk much by kicking Pai-alucia to a trot. The boy must get help soon. The weary miles pass. We come into camp. I feel for the boy's pulse and find one. It's steady. My arms reach skyward in a prayer to the Great Spirit. I thank Him for seeing us safely back home. Cries of fear fill the air from the women upon sighting us. They run up and take Song Bird from my hands. The boy is carried to his father's tipi. I know that he'll be well taken care of. The braves come to me with questions. I give them an account of how I drove the bear away. Respect for me shines in the eyes of these men. It's very sweet. I take Pai-alucia back to the corral. He's watered and fed and lovingly groomed in my appreciation for his steadfast devotion. My arms around him is in thanks for having carried Song Bird away from the bear. For without his help, the boy would surely have been eaten. When I finish at the corral, I race to check on Song Bird. There's a lot of activity inside his father's tipi. While under the watchful eyes of Chief He-who-walks-beyond-all-others, his two wives tend his son.The boy's blood mother, Yellow Deerskin, bathes him with water mixed with healing herbs. The younger woman attends her, fetching anything the older woman requires. Yellow Deerskin notices me and smiles. Her assurance calms me. I return to where the braves are sitting. They're stripping meat and hide from the elk that they've caught. Iron Bow is among them. He commends me for my bravery in my battle with the black bear and assures me that Song Bird's wounds aren't too serious. I'm heartened by the warrior's words. I gather up the live redwood branch and sackful of mushrooms from the corral. These I proudly carry to Big Horn's tipi. I find the brave inside, preparing for my initiation. He greets me with eyes on what my hands carry. Without any words, he takes my hard-won items from me. I'll have to wait until tonight before finding out how they'll be used, I suppose. "Give me back the knife," asks Big Horn. I untie it from my belt thong and hand it over to the brave. He stares at the rear flap of my breechclout. The bear's muddy claw print is still upon it. "You were brave to leap onto the bear's back to strike him," says Big Horn. "Nothing angers our brother more than to attack him where he cannot reach you. The knife wasn't used?" "No," I answer. "It was with Song Bird since he was the one who climbed the tree to cut the live branch." Big Horn examines the silvery blade in his hands. "I don't think that it was used by the youth to defend himself. A pity. A black bear's blood is powerful medicine for certain rituals." A strange realization comes to me. Big Horn acts like one who knows the shaman's ways. I remember my dreaming and ask, "can you see things in your dreams that come to pass?" "No," Big Horn answers. "Few men are gifted with the Sight and fewer still are wise enough to correctly interpret the images that they see to aid anyone." I nod at the brave's words. The shaman had prophesied events of this day and I too saw some things in my dream. I remain silent to Big Horn about what I suspect about myself. Only our shaman can help me to explain what's going on. Big Horn stands beside me. He presses his sacred bundle against my rear flap. Low chanting words come from him. I don't know the rite he's performing but remain still until it's finished. My erection forms from the man's touch. I become weak in the knees for some reason. Big Horn cradles me in his arms. His ritual ends. I sit down on the ground while the brave ties his sacred bundle to his thong belt. I stare at his pouch with great curiosity. "I've taken some of the bear's power into my sacred bundle," explains Big Horn. "Some remains on your rear flap. That cloth would make an excellent sacred bundle for yourself. The mark of the black bear is upon it." I pull the cloth from my butt and look upon it. The bear's muddy claw print is accented with puncture holes and tears. I didn't realize how close his sharp reach had been over my body! Song Bird wasn't as lucky. His butt is forever marred by that bear's sharp claw. My rear flap bears a similar wound. "I'll sew it into a sacred bundle if you leave that cloth with me," offers Big Horn. "I'll place a few items into your new pouch to born it with powerful medicine. This shows your worth unto the Great Spirit to afford you protect in battle." I eagerly hand over my rear flap to the brave. "What will you place inside it?" I ask. Big Horn smiles. "One item will be a leaf that I had used to gather our joined seed. I've kept one for myself in my sacred bundle. The other items are childhood accomplishments of yours that I've been keeping until a sacred bundle of your own came to you this summer. After your initiation tonight, you'll be permitted to wear one." Awe fills my eyes. A sacred bundle at one's waist is a true sign of manhood. The brave is telling me that I won't have to wait until my naming rite to wear one. I ask him why. "After this day, no man in camp will look upon you as a boy," says Big Horn. "Your bravery was proven in your contest with the bear." I beam from Big Horn's proud words for me. "After you initiate me tonight, what will I become?" I ask. "A young man in Mahyee-na," answers Big Horn. "Strength, wisdom and love have become a part of you. Yet you must wait until your naming rite on Summer's Eve before you are granted the full responsibilities of being a man." Big Horn has answered my question. Two moons must pass before I'll be allowed to bear weapons in battle and for the hunt. After tonight I'll become more than a boy yet less than a newly named brave. I yawn. My eyes close briefly from my need for sleep. Big Horn lifts me up by the armpits and opens the tipi door flap. He pinches my butt fondly. "You'll be spending the night with me," says Big Horn. "Go to your mother's tipi first and rest. I need to prepare!" I stumble out the door. My need for sleep is great. I'm finding it hard to keep my eyes open. The yawns from my mouth bloom like weed flowers. I head for my mother's tipi. A young girl giggles after passing me. It's not until a boy runs up and slaps my butt that I realize that I'm uncovered there. Big Horn has my rear flap. I decide to go without one until that time I'm named a man. My pride will not suffer from its lacking. I'll be wearing that cloth tied at my waist as my sacred bundle. Everyone will know that I carry the powerful medicine of a black bear! I enter my mother's tipi and drop to the ground. A bowl of fresh elk meat is waiting for me. I eat like a hungry beast. My mother's eyes are ever upon me though I ignore her until I've finished. She speaks when I place the empty bowl down. "I hear that the boy will be well in a few days should those claw marks not enflame him with fever," she whispers. Her voice betrays a deeper concern so I ask, "what troubles you, my mother?" "You will be spending the night in Big Horn's tipi!" That simple question tells me what is really on her mind. How did she learn about my secret initiation? I fear that my mother may know more; about my love for Song Bird from that warrior. No. Iron Bow's vow of silence is firm. My mother stares at my feet. Her question is still upon me. "It's true," I answer after the pause. "I'll be with Big Horn this night." "Are you giving up raising sons that your father's blood could have lived through by going to him tonight?" I'm taken aback by my mother's strong statement. I have to decide upon words to explain how it is. "Big Horn will act as my monedo at the time of my naming. I must obey him in all things. His words and instruction are true." "He intends to take you to his tipi as a lover!" "I don't love him!" I shout back in anger. My mother's eyes soften. She should be told the full truth so I add, "but I could love another man for that is how my spirit directs me." She drops her eyes from my bold words and tightly grasps the empty bowl at my feet. "Then my son will not become a man who will give me grandchildren to look upon." "That may become so and again it may not," I answer her. "But once I'm named a brave, I'll always remember that I was once your son and I'll support you to the end of your days." My promise calls her eyes back to me. And although they appear sad, I see in them some understanding I had hoped for. "Rest now," she asks. "I'll awaken you when it becomes dark." (The woman rises from her mat with the empty bowl in her hands. She leaves the tipi but not before turning to her son with a smile of assurance.) I answer my mother with a smile of my own. This day has brought much to cause me tired limbs and a weary head. I lay over the ground. My head rests over my arm as sleep claims me. I'm shaken awake after what seems like only a short moment since I've fallen asleep. My tired muscles ache while my dull head perceives everything around me as being unreal. I slowly rise in the darkness. My mother turns wordlessly from me to lay over her mat. I make my way towards Big Horn and the rite that awaits me. The cool night air smells of camp fires. It's a very familiar odor. I pass three tall tipis before reaching Big Horn's. After calling out my name at the opening, the brave bids me to enter. I lift the door flap and go in. A fire inside lights up the tipi. I look around in awe at the collection of weapons and skins that Big Horn has. He stands before me enrobed in a magnificent black bear skin! It reminds me of my dreaming and what recently has come to pass. Big Horn sits down before the fire. I remain standing to show him my respect. He remains silent, as if ignoring me. I wonder if he's expecting me to say or do something! The man asks in a formal voice: "Do you stand before me with your intent to enter Mahyee-na, a brotherhood of loving warriors and braves?" "In a steady voice I answer him, "yes... I do." Big Horn continues. "To become one of us you must be brave, as yet unmarried, and dispositioned sexually towards men. Are you as I say?" "I am." Big Horn smiles at me. It causes me to relax. The heat of the fire warms my chest and legs. There's fire in the man's eyes. "Sit now and listen to what it means to be Mahyee-na," he says. "Questions may be asked so that you may understand." I sit down next to the brave. My eyes gaze into the burning fire while I think of all the things that have happened to me these past days. I'm waiting for Big Horn to speak again. A long moment of silence passes. A bit of concern gnaws at me. What is the man waiting for? "You're still a boy," says Big Horn. "Yet brave, strong, and quick to learn my lessons. You were ready to embrace Mahyee-na when you accepted the touch of my butt with your own. Signal your further readiness by wearing this paint upon your bare face." I take the small bowl that I'm given and stick two fingers into the green paint. I mark up my face with lines over my forehead, cheeks, and chin. Big Horn gives me his approval. He takes the paint bowl and marks up his face but with circles in green on his cheeks. "To be Mahyee-na is to still be a man," explains Big Horn. "He hunts, protects women and children, and goes on the warpath at need. We don't take wives to satisfy the needs of our loins but mount them when we must to beget sons and daughters. Nothing must be done to make others in the tribe to fear us. We keep our ways secret. "What I will tell and show you is not for others to know. It's the secret of the brotherhood that you must keep close to your heart! Let me hear your vow that you will keep it so." My thoughts race back to Song Bird. I had wanted him to peek on us this night, and later, I was going to share with him all that I had learned about becoming Mahyee-na. Big Horn's eyes are on me. I must give him my vow. "I swear unto our Great Father Spirit to keep secret what you'll teach me of being Mahyee-na," I begin. "To those not of our brotherhood will I reveal our secret acts by voice, gester or action. This I swear by Wah-Conda who sees and knows all. May I die a horrible death with my spirit wingless to the after life should ever I break this sacred oath!" "Your oath is well spoken," says Big Horn, "and I know not of any others that you've broken." The brave reaches for a bowl hidden under an elk skin. He hands it to Willow Bird. "Eat in the honor of what you've become. You're now Mahyee-na!" The elk meat is seasoned and tastes good but the mushrooms have a bitter flavor, making me realize that they may be the ones I had gathered from the Tall Forest! Should I stop eating them? I recall Big Horn's assurance that he knew how to keep them from becoming deadly. The brave is my monedo. I've trusted him in everything so I continue my meal while he tells me about his first lover. "Coyote Thief was a warrior from an enemy tribe. He had spared the life of a young brave; myself; because of a sign he'd been given by our Father in his dreams. No one believed his words of explanation and he was banished for it. I invited this warrior, with our chief's approval, to live with our tribe. "My first visits to his tipi were to learn his People's warrior ways. It added skills to what I had been taught by my tribesmen. He quickly became my good friend. "In only a moon's time, the warrior learned of a secret that I'd kept close to my heart. He acted upon it one fine summer's day. We touched butts in his People's rite of the Mahyee-na. Father Sun looked down on our love making. It was very satisfying to me. Yet a boy had spied on us..." My eyes flash with recognition. Song Bird has given me the full account of their lusty rite across the river. I try keeping my face plain before Big Horn. He continues his story. "Coyote Thief initiated me the next night in his tipi. We became lovers. I found my true identity with that warrior. How my heart was set free! Yet by the winter moon, he was taken from my arms by an elk bull. I was a long time mourning for him." An awkward silence fills our tipi. I reach out for the warmth of the fire while Big Horn's thoughts turn deep. His sullen face reveals the strength of his love for that enemy warrior. I wait until he recovers. "It wasn't until late Spring that my heart became ready to love another," explains Big Horn. "I watched all the older boys and braves in camp for signs that they could be Mahyee-na. Coyote Thief had warned me not to force myself onto anyone and to be very sure of who I chose to bare my butt to. I gave myself to you, Willow Bird. The touch of your butt on mine was very pleasing, and surprising." A silence fills the tipi. I feel the man's unspoken question upon me. I ask a question instead. "How did you know that I was ready to become Mahyee-na?" I'm worried that others can see this in me as well. "Only one who has experienced eyes like mine can see it in another," the brave answers. "After your father died, I helped you to continue your training towards becoming a brave. I grew to know you well. In our many talks together, I saw little things that told me this was so. Especially your eyes on me when we swam in the river! You had no interest in girls. Also, you once asked me if a man could love another. It wasn't until Coyote Thief taught me the ways of being Mahyee-na that I realized the truth of your innocent question." Big Horn's words about me are true. Yet if he knew that I could be Mahyee-na, why did he wait so long? I ask him. The brave is quick with his answer. "You were still a boy," explains Big Horn. "When your voice changed this summer, I knew that your body was becoming a man's. This summer's eve you will be named one. You are ready to become Mahyee-na." Big Horn's words fill me with pride. All of my life has been to prepare myself to become a man. Tonight's ritual has made me Mahyee-na. Yet I'm troubled by the thought of becoming this brave's lover. Will he try binding me only to him? My love is for Song Bird! I'm interrupted from my thoughts when the brave sings. He utters strange words that I cannot understand. They beat themselves into my soul with each shaking of his medicine rattle. I start to get dizzy. My eyes close from exhaustion. All the events from today have finally caught up with me. I feel myself falling before a red-capped foe... (Big Horn ends his Mahyee-na song. The mushrooms that the boy ate will make him passive and in little pain from this night's love making. The brave recalls how Coyote Thief had seduced him in the same manner. It was now turning full circle.) (The brave fetches a mug of warm herbed water for Willow Bird to drink. The boy draws some strength from it though he's still much influenced by the seasoned deer meat and mushrooms. The brave unsheathes his knife to prepare it for their bonding.) (A length of Willow Bird's hair is cut along with the brave's own hair. As the boy rests, Big Horn braides the long strands together to form a 'pa-he-wat-che.' This he will make use of later in the evening.) My mind is in a fog. I think that I'm in Big Horn's tipi but I can't find him. My mouth won't form words. My limbs are weak, preventing me from sitting up. Those mushrooms I've consumed... poisonous ones. I think that I am dying! My spirit is gently floating over Mother Earth. I look down at where I used to live; my camp of the Kalinlepi Tribe. I eagerly seek my boyhood friend. Song Bird is running away in terror from something! He pleads to the braves and warriors to keep him from harm. Standing before their tipis, the women prevent the youth from entering to hide. The boy wonders at why his tribesmen won't help him. He looks down and notices his nakedness. I see myself in flesh form handing Song Bird the remains of his torn and blood-soaked breechclout. The boy's face fills with shame. A great black bear enters camp and chases him. He runs to the corral to look for Pai-alucia to carry him away. The stallion is missing. In desperation, the boy turns to me. I'm unmoving. My only aid to my friend is to point out the silver ring on his finger and that he should toss it away. Doing so, the boy casts it down at the bear's feet. That black beast eats it up. He changes into Big Horn wearing its skin. The brave mockingly shows the boy that he's wearing my ring. I become afraid since I know of Big Horn's vengeful heart. The man points his finger at the naked youth and strikes him dead with a lightning bolt! I see the young boy, my dearest friend that I love, fall... I awaken inside of my body. There are warm hands over me; pulling on my butt cheeks and opening them. A tickly wetness pushes into my hole. This pleasure of the flesh stirs up lust in me. My erection forms. I'm laying on my belly over a very soft bearskin. Big Horn's weight is on top of me. He stabs in. I eagerly spread my legs so the man can more easily get his long curved dick into my butthole. Our bodies come together. There's a sensation of fullness and discomfort. A tight connection of his lusty flesh in mine. It excites me. My head explodes when the man begins his deep thrusts. I feel the in and out beat of Big Horn's fleshy stick inside my war drum butt. Pain and pleasure are combined into one lusty sensation. It has me crying out. "You feel what my 'horn' is doing to you?" Big Horn whispers. "Yessss..." I breathe out in an answer to him. My lust is all consuming. The man's hands rock over my shoulders. His weight pins me to the bear skin. I can't escape his rape of me. Nor do I want to. I feel lips over my neck. Kisses from the brave that enflame me. They turn to painful bites that mark me with the proof of his having fucked my butt. I'm being fully conquered. The lusty beat from his curved stick increases its tempo inside my drum. Some pain comes from it. My butthole feels the man's dick swell up and stiffen. I feel my erection surge and become intense. The brave speaks breathy words in my ear. "Oh Willow Bird," he breathes. "I'm filling you with my seed... again. Again! Oh, how I love you my dear, sweet boy. I've completed myself in you!" The drumming song of our love making ends. Big Horn's sweaty body lays heavily over mine. His breaths blow hot against my neck. He may have need to rest but my loins are enflamed! I need to squirt out my lust as well. When I try to tell Big Horn of my urgent need, I find that I'm voiceless. There's a bitter tasting dryness in my throat. I resort to brutal actions. Our bodies roll over the bearskin. I gasp when the man's dick pulls wetly from my butthole. A proof that his loins have truly spilt in me! I feel my erection throb against my belly. It aches to be released. The brave is laying over his belly with his butt vulnerable to my lusty attack. I crawl over him. My head feels a bit strange. I almost faint when moving my body over his. My head rests over his back for a moment. I have to catch my breath. The brave remains still under me. Sleeping? With his lust spilt from him, I suppose that's a good thing to do. The sweaty odor from the man's butt fills my nose. I try to seek it out. His ass cheeks feel soft in my hands. My lips descend upon Big Horn and eat him up; a hunger for his body. I can't believe what my lust has me performing on the brave! I mouth over the man's salty skin and press my tongue down his crack to taste his musky man scent. I become crazed. Daring! My hands part his cheeks so that I can stick my tongue in his butthole. Yet I pause from the act. My breathing comes hard. I'm almost going to faint again! In the light of the fire I peek into that my hands have opened. Between the man's sweaty cheeks is his brown asshole. It seems too small to take into it the size of my hard dick. Yet I know that Coyote Thief's cock has stuck inside him. I gain my courage and continue my lusty exploring. My tongue sticks between the man's butt cheeks and finds his smelly hole. I taste his manliness. It enflames me to hurry my wet preparations. When I have enough spit in him, I rush to get my dick in there. Big Horn continues to rest over his belly while I crouch over his butt, ready to fuck him. I clumsily point my way in. My dick pushes into his ass but can't seem to find entrance into it. The light of the fire is blocked by my body so I can't see. I pull his cheeks apart and stab again. A thrilling sensation shoots from the tip of my dick. It sticks into a warm, slimy tightness! I slowly push my long dick all the way inside. My body presses down over his. The sweet sensation is unbelievable. All of my erection is stuck through the man's butthole! Exciting tingles of lust race through it. I reach for his shoulders and grip them. My thrusts begin. I almost can't bear the intense feeling that comes from fucking the man. The tightness of his hole around my dick is almost a pain to me. His slipperiness inside adds to the intense sensation. I lay over his back and rest a moment. I'm too close to cumming. Big Horn yawns. He turns his head and gives me a weak smile. Has the brave been asleep?! I stab into his ass to fully awaken him. The man backs his butt onto my loins at that lusty moment. My dick goes even deeper through his asshole. It gets me into a frenzy. I thrust his butt again and again while blowing out quick breaths. I slow myself to try prolonging our mating. Too late. I feel my sperm's rising and it shoots straight and strong like an arrow into the brave's butthole. Another arrow. I cry out with each sweet squirt. He backs his ass onto my quick stabs to milk me dry. My loins run out of sperm to give him. I drop over his back in exhaustion. A smile comes to my face. There's a strange sense of completion in knowing that I've released my seed in the man's body. He has also put sperm in my butt. Our life is inside of each other. Yet we're men so no little ones will come from it. I feel a little sad from that realization. I'm only given a little rest before Big Horn squirms below. He rolls me off. My dick pulls from his butt with a sucking sound. I'm in awe of what we've done to each other's bodies. The brave helps me to stand up with him. I look into his face and see his smile for me. I sheepishly drop my eyes to the ground. When his hands slap over his cheeks, it makes me giggle. I slap my butt with the realization that we've both fucked each other. Our sperm likes deep within the other. "Touch butts with me," Big Horn asks. I back onto the man's body as he asks. Our hands come together like that first time when our butts touched. There's a sensual feeling from rubbing our naked bodies there. The brave's next words explain what I'm feeling exactly. "When two Mahyee-na men are thusly embraced as we are with sperm from the other deep inside our fucked butts, that's a joining that goes beyond even a blood rite. It makes us one." I nod my head to his strong words. But does that makes us true lovers? Big Horn's hands drop over my sweaty cheeks. I touch his butt in the same manner. His skin is soft there. I feel the man's flexing motion under my palms. I hump my butt against his. My eyes widen when hearing a sound come out of his butt. His next words explain it. "Gently push out my seed from your butthole," asks Big Horn. "Let it flow with your seed coming out of my butt. I have a medicine cloth beneath us to catch our joining 'rain.'" The brave bends over with his butt backed onto mine. His hands part my cheeks. I open the man's butt for him. I try doing what he's asked. My hole aches me. A bubbling comes out of me and flows wetly over my balls. Big Horn's slippery balls press against mine. Our sperm drips to the painted cloth between us. What a strange rite we're performing! Big Horn doesn't move for many heartbeats. Our joining flow is a slow one. He must want all the sperm from our butts on his medicine cloth. I've pushed it out my hole as much as I've dared. Nothing solid has come out. I'm relieved by that. When the brave stands up, I straighten out my aching back against his body. He holds my hands again and rubs butts. I glance down between our legs, at the painted cloth on the ground. It's filled with pools of our sperm. "Coyote Thief has shown me many rituals and love acts of the Mahyee-na. This one is mine alone. I want to preserve the first joining of my flesh to yours, Willow Bird. Forever, I will have our joined seed upon that painted medicine cloth. A powerful reminder of this night!" I'm a little afraid. Big Horn's words are loud and fiery. I hear his deepest heart in them. Yet another rite he binds me with. The strength of his love for me is like a waterfall. How can I hold my hands out to stem such a violent flow? The man's hands release me. My body is chilled without his against my backside. I turn to see what he's doing. The brave carefully lifts the corners of his medicine cloth and carries it to a distant wall of his tipi. He places it over a drum head. There it will dry undisturbed. Big Horn returns to me. He fetches something that was laying over our bearskin bed. It's long and dark in color. The braided mane from his horse? "I want to perform the sacred rite of the pa-he-wat-che with you," Big Horn asks. "I've braided the long strands from your hair and mine together. It's a sweet way of binding you to me." My head is still dull from eating the mushrooms. Yet I think that I've heard what the man has said. My heart cries out against it. We've come to the rite that I fear the most! The brave stands close to me, belly to belly. His hands reach down to our touching dicks. I'm amazed that we're both somewhat erected. Perhaps our staying power has come from eating the mushrooms. There's a tickling sensation when the brave wraps our braided hair around his dick and mine. He ties a knot it it with much ceremony. With his eyes staring into my own, he speaks his binding oath. "I love thee and wish to take thee as my lover," says Big Horn. "I will mate only with thee until we are parted by death. If you love me in like kind, take up the ends of our pa-he-wat-che and tie your knot over mine." My mind swirls in a deep fog. Yet I clearly hear my heart tell me not to! I can't bind myself to this man when I'm in love with the boy as well. Song Bird should be a part of this rite. While under Big Horn's longing gaze, I reach down to the encircling pa-he-wat-che. I get my fingers under it. There's a real pain in my heart when I pull it away! The man's eyes flash in anger and surprise. I try finding words to explain it. "You're like a second father to me," I explain, "who has taught me all the things that I'll need to become a man. My love for you is in this way! I'm not denying you the use of my flesh. I enjoy our love making. But I cannot be bound by your pa-he-wat-che. Please Big Horn, try to understand!" "I didn't expect your rejection," the man says. "Our butts were filled with each other. So too were our hearts, or so I had thought. Tell me what it is that keeps you from me?" I raise my eyes from the ground and look deeply into Big Horn's glaring eyes before telling him my secret. "It's Song Bird." I'm surprised by the man's expression of relief. "He's only a boy!" the brave exclaims. "I thought perhaps that you were in love with another man or that you were afraid of loving me." "I truly love Song Bird!" I shout. Big Horn slowly shakes his head. He sits down before the fire and gestures for me to join him. I know that a long talk is ahead of us. My head is so weary. All I want now is to go to sleep. "I offer you the love from a man," begins Big Horn. "You will remain a boy until your naming rite. Mostly a man, but not quite! You are tonight, Mahyee-na. We've made love and I know that your love for me is true. But you are confused. Some time is needed for you to sort out all of your feelings for Song Bird and myself. I will give you that time." I peer into the brave's soft eyes to ask, "what if I decide not to bind myself unto you?" "I'll accept your decision after you've been named a brave. As a man, you'll be speaking from wisdom. But I suspect that you'll enter my pa-he-wat-che and tie your knot over mine. I can wait for that, Willow Bird." I nod my head at the wisdom of my mentor. His words sound fair and true. I'm very weary, both in flesh from this day's long events and weary from all that has been said this evening. I lay my head over Big Horn's breast and close my eyes. His arms reach around my body. I'm glad to be in the hands of such a nice man. Sleep is about to take me. I hope that I'll not dream of Song Bird being chased by that bear again. The sound of boys playing awakens me. My back lays over a wonderfully soft skin instead of the hard ground that I'm used to. My butthole aches a little. I remember where I am; in Big Horn's tipi! I rub my sleepy eyes and look out the tipi's smoke hole at the growing light of morning. The warmth of Big Horn's body lays near my right side. I scoot myself against him. Events from last night fill my head. It brings a sly grin to my face. So much wonderful love making! Good words were also said. Important things were learned. I am Mahyee-na. In two moon's time, I'll also be named a man. My feelings for Song Bird hasn't lessened from it. The brave has given me that time before my naming to decide. I'll be free to make love to that boy. It makes me wonder though; why can't I love both? I let escape a long sigh from my mouth. Big Horn awakens. I turn on my side and smile at him. His hands draw my head to his breast. I smell his lime-smelling scent. It draws my mouth to his tit. I suck on the hardening nipples. "You are a beautiful boy!" says Big Horn. "Often when teaching you some skill or lesson, I had wanted to tell you my heart. Yet I kept my deeper feelings hidden. It wasn't until Coyote Thief showed me the way of the Mahyee-na that I became released like from an enemy's restraints; and that enemy was only myself! I'm free to express my love for another. I love you, Willow Bird. In time, I hope that you'll also love me." "But I do, Big Horn!" I quickly answer. To prevent the brave from asking me to join his pa-he-wat-che I add, "but I also love that boy." The man's strong arms pull me over his body. Our loins touch while his mouth finds mine for kisses. I allow myself to be drawn into his spell. We kiss long and passionatly; our bodies fill with excitement. I begin my motion over him. My swollen member presses against his. The wonderful crunch of our groin hair. His hands reach down for my butt. He guides the pace of my thrusts. It all comes so naturally. Our bodies have become familiar with each other to make love. Big Horn sticks his tongue into my mouth. I suck on it greedily. Nothing is denied the man! My breaths hold. I keep my eyes open to gaze lovingly into the young brave's eyes. Our noses rub against each other in small circles. The feel of his hands over my butt enrages me sexually. I enjoy giving myself up to the needs of this man. I break from our tender kissing to suck in breaths. My head rests on his upper chest. I find myself sucking on its soft skin. My dick feels intense! All the sweet sensations from his body and mine combine to get my loins to explode in ecstasy! Big Horn growls like a bear towards his elusive climax. His hands become savage over my butt. I lift up my head to look into his face; his eyes are closed and lines of tension mar his gentle beauty. The man is deep under the harsh spell of sex. Or is it a demon? I continue to body rub against the brave's fiery stick. It's slippery between us from my earlier release and the sweat from our heated bodies. Big Horn lifts his butt from the bearskin and stabs against me. He breathes heavily. Why is it so difficult for his loins to flow? The man's strong hands pull my butt down to the bearskin. He lies over my belly. In full control, the brave thrusts his long dick against my pole. He makes long, wildly-aimed stabs. I rush my hands to his butt and hold onto his frantic body. I'm surprised by Big Horn's long struggle. The brave's body trembles over mine as if chilled. Our love making turns chaotic with his untimed beats and rapid breaths blowing through his mouth. I become very concerned for him. "What's wrong, Big Horn?" I ask. "I want... our seed out and... joined!" the brave answers between breaths. "End your struggling," I beg him. "You don't need to release to my belly to prove your love for me!" My hands reach around the man's hips and lock tightly behind his back. My legs bind his legs to prevent his wild, sliding motion. The man's body slows. In a few heartbeats, he's become still. The tipi fills with the sound of his labored breaths. "Oh... my head!" cries Big Horn. Fear takes hold of me. I roll our bodies over the bearskin until the man is on his back. I slide off him and cradle his head in my arms. His eyes are tightly shut. Quick, shallow breaths race through his open mouth. There are signs of pain on his face. I'm thinking to fetch our shaman to aid him. "Are you all right?" I shout. Big Horn nods his head. He gains control of his breathing and asks for water. I spring up to find his water skin. His tipi is filled with many objects. Where does he keep such a simple thing amongst all his prized possessions? He points to the fire pit. I find a small skin and the carved wooden mug that he had used last night. My hands eagerly take them to his side. I pour the herbed water and help him to drink from the mug. His limbs fill with strength. He manages to sit up. "What happened?" I ask. Big Horn takes another long sip from the mug before answering. "My head pains me. It will go away soon." "Is it something that I've done wrong?" "No, Willow Bird. My head hurts whenever I'm out of breath or exerting myself such as when I make wild love to you." "But why?" I ask. "You're still a young man." "It's because of my fall," Big Horn explains. "Pai-alucia had spooked during a hunt once and threw me hard to the ground on my head. It's been slow to heal for these past three moons." "I never realized that you were hurt." "My head only pains me a little," assures Big Horn. "A man keeps his weaknesses from other's eyes." "Have you considered talking with our shaman about it?" "No. It's not worth his attention," states Big Horn flatly. I wrap my arms around the brave. His tone of voice warns me to not speak of it further. Yet I'm concerned. I remember the last time he had fainted when in our first loving embrace. Big Horn brings me back to our love bed. He searches the bearskin for something. A twinge of fear shoots into my heart. I'm not ready to undergo the binding rite of his pa-he-wat-che! I want more time to continue making love to the boy while sorting out my conflicting notions and feelings. "What are you looking for?" I ask. (The brave grasps a shiny object. It's with a smile on his face when he hands his Wah-ha knife to the boy.) "It's yours," Big Horn announces. "I gift it to you as Coyote Thief had given it to me on the morning after we consumated our love. His hand had taken it off a Wah-ha trader whom he had killed." I can't believe that the man is actually giving this beautiful thing to me! I give Big Horn a fierce hug. "It's a fine gift," I tell him. "But why are you doing this?" "For many reasons," Big Horn explains. "Being here with me in my tipi is a good one. It's been a long time since my flesh has felt the touch of another, and a beautiful boy at that! Yet do not mistake my intention. I'm not trading for your love. My heart is one with yours. It's a good thing that we've finally come together to mate. Yours is a beautiful spirit." My face burns from hearing such fine words from Big Horn. The man can be so passionate and deep. Coyote Thief must have truly loved him for gifting the fine blade. I'm glad to take that warrior's place in Big Horn's heart though I'm only a boy. "I understand your intent and accept your gift, Big Horn. Yet I have nothing to offer you! I also benefit when in your embraces. You're the one teaching me all the new things!" "You can give me something of value," the brave asks. "Tell me how you knew to turn and touch butts with me when we were across the river." I give the man a puzzled look. "Song Bird was the youth who spied on your love making with Coyote Thief," I answer the brave. "He had witnessed the Mahyee-na rite of your touching butts and he told me about it." Big Horn nods his head. "I'm glad that your friend had spoken about our rite. It provided you with the meaning to what my offer had meant and the response of your butt on mine. Song Bird shouldn't fear any reprisals from me, only my secret thanks." I give the brave a sly grin. It's getting late and I know that my mother will have tasks for me to perform. Big Horn also realizes the progression of the morning. He fetches our breechclouts, tying my new knife onto my thong belt. "Wear this knife at all times on your waist," says Big Horn. "You never know when you'll have need for it. I'm very proud of you, Willow Bird. You are ready to be named a brave. Mind well what I've taught you these past summers and you may live long enough to become a great warrior." Hearing such fine words from Big Horn makes my face turn red. I have no words to match his so I simply smile. He clasps my shoulder. I cover his hand with my own. We are at a complete understanding with each other. All our secrets have been bared. "It's time for you to leave," says Big Horn. "Remember to keep close to your heart what I've shared with you. I'll be ready with your sacred bundle tomorrow." I nod my head. The brave's hand slaps over my butt when I turn for his doorway. I recall my pledge to myself last evening. I'll have to endure some humiliation for leaving my rear end uncovered. Wearing a sacred bundle at my side will be ample compensation though. "Would you like a flap for your butt?" asks Big Horn. I turn to the brave and grin. "Nope. I'll remain bared until the time of my naming." "The needing men of our tribe may take that as a sign to mount your asshole," Big Horn warns. "Don't run to me if some brave like Tree Snake chases you in the woods!" I'm struck by the brave's humorous words. "Has Tree Snake 'caught' you?" I ask. "Go ask him if you must," answers Big Horn. "He's not like us to want to touch butts but he'll gladly fuck one." I glance down at my uncovered butt and laugh. "I'd be curious to see his dick perform. But wouldn't the rite of the pa-he-wat-che prevent my allowing that brave his use of me?" "No," Big Horn replies. "It's always your decision for allowing a man to have his way with your body. The men of the Moss-bowl Tribe made use of Coyote Thief and myself on the excuse that their squaws couldn't always please them." I slowly nod my head at Big Horn's words but I feel confused by something. "What's the meaning of the pa-he-wat-che if any of us can still bend over to another man's use of our butts?" "That sacred rite is to bind your heart to mine," explains Big Horn. "It affirms your own love for me. The part of your body that would be bound by the pa-he-wat-che is the use of your dick. That's why our braided hair is tied around them and knotted. It's a pledge to only give up your seed in the arms of your lover or by your hand at need." I'm amazed that there are still things I need to learn about being Mahyee-na. My eyes look around inside his tipi. I know that I'll often be spending my nights here. For now, I have chores to perform so I give the brave my gesture of farewell and run out his door. The morning air over my sweaty body reminds me of our recent love making. My face also bears the ritual green face paint. I head towards the river to wash. There's a cooling sensation on my butt. I feel over my backside while imagining how I must look under the lusting gaze of a needing man like Tree Snake. Would I allow that brave his lusty use of my butthole? I pass many tipis before reaching the river bank. There's no one around. It's too late in the morning for the girls to be washing clothes. I pull on my thong belt. My breechclout and knife drop at my feet. Naked, I dive into the cold water. I swim along the sandy bottom for as long as my breath holds. My hands search for new discoveries. None. I surface for breath. With some sand in my hands, I wash my body and face. The water is cold so I quickly head back to shore. I'm startled by a short figure waiting for me there. Not Song Bird; a boy of eight summers. He grins at me. His hands try holding my breechclout and knife around his slim body. "Greetings, Willow Bird," announces the youth. "I'm trying on your breechclout because my father has promised me flaps of my own to wear by next summer. I see that my body is still small to be wearing one." I step from the river to join Day Rabbit on the bank. My hands gently take my breechclout from him. I'm pleasantly surprised to see that the youth bears an erection. It's a long hard finger against his belly. Similar to Song Bird's dick when I had embraced him in the river last summer. Day Rabbit looks down at his excitement. He seems proud by his manly display in front of me. I kneel before the youth with an intent to pleasure it for him. First, I take my thong belt with the knife and tie it around the boy's slim waist. "You look like a warrior!" I tell Day Rabbit. "You're wearing a man's knife at your side and you stand up 'strong' in need of a squaw." The youth giggles. "I don't have a girl to mount or even a tipi to keep her!" replies Day Rabbit. "Do you know what a brave performs when he hasn't a wife?" The youth shakes his head. He looks down at his erection so I know that we're talking about the same thing. I take it in hand. My strokes over the thick skin are slow and gentle. I reach for his little butt with my other hand and cup the soft cheeks. The boy's eyes shine when I begin to masturbate him. "All boys perform this rite to get their long dicks to feel good," I assure the youth. A moment of silence passes. My fingers stroke over his fleshy stick while my hand pulling over the back of him teaches the boy to flex his butt. He soon learns to stab through my fingers. The thrill of it shows in his widening eyes. I'm excited by the boy's eager display. "Close your eyes," I ask Day Rabbit. The youth does so. I kneel closer to him and open my mouth over his erection. His boyish stiffness slips into me. I trap him with both hands around his little ass. He gasps. I take his quick stabs. He releases small cries of pleasure. The thrills must be intense for the little boy. I reach down to pull over my aching dick. I've been releasing it often these past days but to touch a naked boy is very pleasing to me. And lustful. I enjoy the intense pleasure from beating off my hard dick again and again. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- {End of file: WILLOW-BIRD-FINDS-HIS-LOVE-6 Story continues: -7