Lost Girl in Transition Ch. 16

"Oh yeah." Michael nodded. "Been talking about you ever since he first arrived."

Trying not to appear too happy, Claudia put on the best poker face she possibly could. But internally a heat was radiating through her chest, hands going all tingly all she stood there in front Michael. It shouldn't have made her so happy but for some reason it did, and scanning the crowd on the gymnasium floor, she searched for Lucas.

As she was searching the crowd, it suddenly dawned on her that she had a boyfriend she deeply loved. So why did knowing that Lucas had spoken of her make her so damn excited and happy? Biting her lip, she felt a wave of guilt come over her, but before it could burrow itself too deep, Michael spoke once again.

"I can take you to him, if you want."

"Uhh..." Not wanting to appear over eager, Claudia took a moment to respond. "Well I guess It'd be cool to say hi..."

"He'd be happy if you did," Michael responded, and with Sylvie tagging along at his side, led the way across the gymnasium floor.

Turning her head to give her mother a brief glance, Claudia noticed that Mona was lifting her brows. But it seemed to be neither disapproval, nor surprise, just an expression that accepted what was happening.

Trailing behind Michael and Sylvie, Claudia allowed them to lead her, carefully maneuvering their bodies around the various attendees before reaching the other side of the gymnasium. Soon they were approaching a corner of the gym where some dancers were socializing, and immediately spotting Lucas as one of the tallest in the group, she unconsciously preened her curls. It wasn't long before he had spotted her as well, and once they were finally close enough to speak, he gazed down at her shorter form.

"Claudia, hey..." His lips pulled back to flash pretty teeth. "I've been looking for you, girl."

"So I've heard," Claudia said, and as Michael and Sylvie covertly slipped away, she offered a smile as thanks.

"So how you liking the pow wow so far?"

"It's awesome," she said. "And I'm loving the outfits."

"Yeah, a lot of work and dedication goes into making them," he explained. "The leggings I'm wearing are made from the skin of a moose my dad shot, and the beaded vest was done by mother, who's pretty much known as an expert."

"What about your moccasins?" Claudia asked. "Did your mother bead those too?"

"Grandma did. She's the one who taught my mom the craft."

"And your breastplate?"

"My grandfather," Lucas said. "He made it years ago for me, not long after I first entered high school."

"It's very well made," Claudia said while admiring the breastplate of bone hairpipes.

"Yeah, grandfather was always good with his hands. He made my hand drum as well, just a couple of months before he died."

"No wonder It's so special to you."

Lucas nodded. "I was going to bring it tonight and play a few songs, but I figured I would just concentrate on dancing instead."

"Well I'll be on the sidelines watching," Claudia replied.

"First place wins $300, so wish me luck out there."

"The best of luck to you, Lucas. I really do hope that you'll win first prize."

"Thanks."

Adjusting the band of bells that were tied just below his knees, Lucas seemed to be making sure that everything was in proper position. But as his gaze zeroed in on something beyond Claudia's shoulder, she turned her head to look, and it was then she saw Misty approaching with a college-aged man.

Noting that he was Caucasian, Claudia immediately noticed how blue his eyes were, hair blonde and carefully styled to give it an effortlessly tousled look. In Claudia's mind he looked like the stereotypical jock - fairly tall and impressively muscular while seeming to ooze an athletic vibe.

The hoodie he wore had the Seattle University logo on it, a large red S interlocking with a bold black U. It was the way he held Kimi's hand so proudly in his own, however, that made Claudia realize they were more than just casually dating. By the time they reached Lucas and Claudia, Misty was smiling broadly, flashing pretty white teeth while focusing directly on Lucas.

"I was hoping I'd see you here," she said.

"Hello Misty." Lucas drew her into a brief yet affectionate hug, then pulled back to gaze at her face. "You look good. Seattle must be treating you well."

"It is," she confirmed. "Things are really different there, but It's a nice change."

"Good to see you again, Misty." Claudia offered a smile to her former arch nemesis.

"It's nice to see you too, Claudia," Misty replied. "How's U of M?"

"Good." Claudia weakly smiled, but didn't expound any further.

"Cool, glad to hear," she replied, then shifting her gaze to the man beside her, introduced him to Lucas and Claudia.

"This is David, my boyfriend."

"It's great to meet you." Eagerly extending his hand, David offered it for Lucas to shake.

"Yeah, cool," Lucas mumbled beneath his breath, but he didn't offer his hand in return to shake.

"I just want to say what an honor it is to be here," David blurted excitedly. "And I want to thank you and your people for allowing me on your reservation land."

"It's not just the reservation, all of America is Indian land," Lucas stated. "And you can thank my ancestors. They're the ones who were slaughtered for it."

A flush crept across David's cheeks, ears going bright red as he stood in front of Lucas. It seemed to Claudia that he wanted to disappear, or at least shrink down to the size of a pea. She couldn't help feeling bad for the guy, even a little second-hand embarrassment at the way he seemed so completely mortified. But on glancing at Lucas's face, Claudia saw he was standing tall, chest pushed out in a domineering way.

"I'm sorry, I meant no disrespect," David stated. "If I offended you in any way, I deeply apologize."

"Accepted," Lucas curtly replied, and with that he shifted his attention, as if giving the signal that the conversation was done.

"Guess I'll see you around, Lucas," Misty said with a smirk, and after giving Claudia a wave goodbye, turned and led David towards another part of the gymnasium.

"Ouch." Grinning up at Lucas's face, Claudia noticed his features were still pulled tight. "You really gave it to him harsh, didn't you?"

"He sounded like a fool," Lucas said. "So I decided to educate him, put a bit of sense into that big fat head."

"You're jealous that he's with Misty." Claudia grinned harder.

"Actually, I'm not. I just don't understand why she's with someone like him. She's too beautiful for a *napekwin*."

"Napekwin?" Claudia's tone was inquisitive.

"White man," Lucas translated with a lip that curled in distaste.

"Well maybe he's a little corny, but he seems like a perfectly nice guy."

"Right..." Lightly scoffing, he continued watching Misty and David walk away. "They all seem that way at first."

"They who?" Claudia questioned.

"White people."

"Oh." For a moment Claudia was quiet, watching the dancers compete out on the floor. But as it occurred to her that censoring herself was pointless, she decided to come right out and say it. "Not trying to call you out or anything, but haven't you dated white women before?"

"I've been with a few," he admitted. "But I wouldn't exactly call it dating."

"I see." She smirked, then focused her eyes on a group of dancers who were filing out onto the gymnasium floor.

"Guess I'd better get out there with them," Lucas said, and after adjusting his turtle medallion around his neck, shifted his eyes down to Claudia. "How about a kiss for good luck?"

"A kiss?" Claudia nearly stammered.

"Yes, on the cheek," he replied. "Unless that's against some rule that you and Tristan agreed on."

"Well no, it Isn't," Claudia slowly said, but before she could explain that it didn't seem proper, Lucas bent down, pressing his lips tenderly against her cheek.

"I thought you were asking me to kiss you," Claudia said as he slowly pulled back.

"I was." Still leaning down, his breath puffed lightly against her face. "But you're smaller than I am, so I figured It'd be better if I were the one to do it."

"You can't just do that without being certain that I'm okay with it."

"So you're not?" His brows rose in question.

"Tristan wouldn't have liked it, Lucas. And I think both you and I know that."

"Okay, so he wouldn't have liked it." Pausing for several moments, he looked her deep in the eyes. "But did you?"

"This is inappropriate," Claudia replied. "And I feel really wrong even discussing it."

"Funny you should mention the word inappropriate, Claude, because that's the same word I would use to describe when Tristan kissed you on prom night."

"So we're back to that again."

"Yeah." His angular jaw pulled tight.

"Just because he did it to you, doesn't mean you have to do it back to him. Yes, Tristan kissed me on prom night but it was long ago and he's since apologized for it."

Seeming to think this over, Lucas's expression became thoughtful.

"Alright, so maybe I shouldn't have done it without you saying so, but at least it wasn't on the lips. I mean compared to the tonguing that Tristan gave you that night, the cheek kiss I just gave you was pretty darn innocent."

"Maybe so," Claudia said, and not wanting to discuss the subject anymore, focused her gaze on his breastplate. Then, without even thinking, she reached up to adjust it.

Rather than say something, Lucas just looked down at her hands, watching as she maneuvered the breastplate so that it hung perfectly straight around his neck. As she realized he was watching her, Claudia lifted her eyes to meet his. And it was then that it suddenly dawned on her, she'd put her hands where they shouldn't have gone.

"I'm sorry, was I not supposed to touch your regalia?" Pulling her hands away as if she'd been burned by hot coals, Claudia looked up at him from beneath her lashes. "I apologize, Lucas. I know It's sacred, so I shouldn't have touched it."

"It's okay, you can touch it." Lucas took her palms in his, then rested them flat on his breastplate. "Your hands are more than welcome, so please don't think I was offended in any way."

Locking her eyes with his, Claudia saw he was eyeing her very intently. It made her wonder what he was thinking and for a moment she became hyper aware of his natural, manly scent. But then suddenly deep drumbeats resounded through the gymnasium, breaking both she and Lucas from out of their spell.

"Guess that's your cue to get on the dancefloor," she said, but as she pulled her hands away, Lucas only held them firmer to his breastplate.

"I'll definitely have good luck now," he replied, and with a gentle smile gracing his lips, released her hands and walked off.

* * * *

It was a quarter to midnight when Tristan woke from sleep, slowly lifting his head from the couch headrest before giving a lazy yawn. The T.V. was still on so he shut it off, then tossed the remote aside before standing to his feet.

Mouth dry and needing water, he headed for the kitchen to get a glass, but on entering and seeing that Shauna was present, his body froze in place.

"What are you doing?" His tone was accusatory, as if he'd caught her in the midst of some illegal act.

"What do you think I'm doing?" Shauna asked. "I'm breastfeeding your daughter, obviously."

"In here?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Because you're supposed to be in the bedroom, where no one can see you."

"I'm tired of being in the room," she said. "I feel like a prisoner in there. And besides, I have nothing to be ashamed of."

"What if It'd been my dad who had walked in on you? Would you still not be ashamed?"

"It's a natural thing," she firmly said. "I hardly think that your dad would view it as anything sexual."

"Well I can see your nipples," Tristan said.

"So? You've seen my boobs plenty times before."

"That was different," Tristan responded. "We were together then, but now we're not. So keep your top on, alright?"

"Geez, you'd think I took them out just for you."

"Look, I don't want to see them, okay? So if you're going to feed the baby, please do it in private."

"My God, Tristan. I'm feeding our daughter, nourishing her. And all you can think about is forcing me into the bedroom so that no one can see me?"

Noticing how angry she was, Tristan began to wonder if he hasn't been too harsh. But before he could turn and leave the kitchen, Shauna rose to her feet, blowing past him in a huff. A few seconds later he heard his bedroom door slam, and then there was nothing but complete silence, surrounding him like a cloak.

Still craving some water, he went to cabinet and got a cup, pouring himself a generous amount before taking a long, lavish gulp. Yet despite the fact that his thirst had been quenched, a craving of a different kind had suddenly popped up.

He could lie to himself all he wanted, deny the fact that he hadn't liked seeing Shauna's breasts out and exposed. But the truth of it was, he had liked seeing them, and even now he felt horny at just the thought of them on display. They were much bigger than he remembered, and although he was trying his best to block them from memory, he couldn't stop thinking about how round and full they were.

Recalling the huge size of Shauna's nipples, he began to wonder what suckling milk from them would be like. The thought in itself was kinky, creating a significant boner in his pants, but before it could get too large or protruding, he willed himself to calm down.

No, he thought. It Isn't right for me to be thinking this.

But his cock didn't listen, only continued to grow and swell until it was straining against his pants.

*Seriously?* Looking down at his crotch, he gave the bulge a fiery stare. *This is what you get hard over? A woman breastfeeding her infant daughter?*

Remaining fully hard, his erection seemed to confirm that it was there to stay, and thoroughly annoyed at the lack of control over his manhood, Tristan sighed and pressed his lips into a thin slash.

He would just go into the bathroom and rub one out, that's all, then come out composed and not wanting to jump Shauna's bones. The last thing he wanted was to be attracted to her, and up until that point he hadn't had any sexual thoughts. But after seeing how large and plump her tits were, he was suddenly wanting to fuck her.

It made him feel horribly guilty to admit it, but there was the hard, cold truth.

Considering that Claudia was still recovering from being raped, he fully understood that she wasn't ready to have sex quite yet. But now that it was coming up on a full month without them being intimate, he was getting a little antsy. He supposed that explained his strong reaction to Shauna's breasts, but it certainly wouldn't excuse him acting upon his animalistic desires.

So, feeling like the world's worst boyfriend, Tristan turned and headed out of the kitchen, making a beeline for the half bathroom in the hall where he could have the privacy he so needed.

As soon as the door was locked he unzipped his jeans, then grasped his erection and began to stroke off. His hand worked quickly, images of Shauna's boobs going through his mind, and as he came hard and quick a few minutes later, hot cum squirted into his palm.

Using a generous amount of toilet paper, Tristan cleaned the sticky mess from his hands and deflated penis, then tossed it into the toilet before flushing it down. He then washed his hands, followed by his face before drying it off, and after exiting the bathroom and reentering the living room, he lay down on the couch.

Still feeling guilty over jacking off to thoughts of Shauna, Tristan pulled a blanket over his body. But to his relief it seemed to have cleared his head, and as his thoughts turned to Claudia and their current predicament, the guilt began to lessen. Taking its place was anger, as well as frustration over his inability to catch Claudia's rapist.

It had only been a month since the rape had happened, but the memory of him getting the call that she'd been violated was sharp in his mind. Still as fresh as if it had happened just yesterday, Tristan knew that the clock was ticking on.

Still walking around free, Claudia's assailant was somewhere out there, possibly even raping other girls as he went about his carefree way. But Tristan couldn't allow that to continue, not if he wanted to retain his masculinity and feel deserving of being Claudia's boyfriend. She deserved justice, as well as peace of mind, so he had to get doubly serious, casting a net so wide that evasion was impossible.

He had been trying like hell to force a detailed dream his way, and had even said several prayers in hopes that the Creator would provide a name or even the face of the rapist, but so far he had only received scattered symbols through the occasional vision. One of the symbols that stood out to him was that of a circle with an S-shaped line through it, which was clearly the yin and yang symbol.

A second symbol that had come through a vision was that of a glyph, which as far as Tristan could remember, represented the astrological sign for a Gemini. The vision that stood out to him the most, however, was that of a birthmark. Red in color, it seemed to have been located on somebody's back, and as Tristan thought back to the shape of the birthmark, he remembered it resembling the shape of a square.

Tristan saw this as a sign that the rapist had such a birthmark, but he couldn't just go around asking guys to take their shirts off, not to mention that the rez had a population of thousands of men.

Racking his brain for a solution, Tristan thought of a way he could narrow down the possible suspects. But then suddenly it came to him, something he hadn't even considered but that could be somewhat helpful.

*Call Lucas.*

This voice that went through his head was loud and clear, seeming to convey seriousness as well as urgency at the very same time. When voices came through to Tristan, he saw them as messages from spirits beyond, or possibly even the Creator himself. But Tristan felt reluctant to follow this particular voice, because the very idea of contacting Lucas for help would put a considerable dent in his ego.

Just four weeks ago, Lucas had called him a half-assed clairvoyant, and had even mocked his spiritual gifts, as if expecting them to work perfectly 24/7. The memory of this alone made Tristan less than thrilled to contact his rival, but Claudia was most important in all of this, so he would have to swallow his pride.

Reaching for his mobile on the coffee table, Tristan dialed Lucas's number. It rang once, then twice before Lucas's voice came onto the line. And that was the start of a conversation that would last nearly fifteen minutes.