42: A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME
“Sunny” was not a word that Law would normally use to describe a sekasha but it was the first impression that she got of Moon Dog. It was the first time she’d ever see one of them grin ear to ear. Normally they were expressionless and radiated menace that you could feel. It was like a coiled rattlesnake inches from your bare leg, projecting “move wrong and you’re dead.”
Moon Dog was shorter than the Wind Clan sekasha, as smolderingly handsome as a Bollywood actor, yet beaming sunshine and flowers. The most surprising thing about him was that his wyvern chest armor and the tattoos up his arms were all Stone Clan black.
Law had fallen back to sleep so missed any explanation of how Bare Snow ended up being championed by a sekasha from another clan.
Moon Dog gracefully sat on the floor beside Bare Snow. “It is done. I have spoken with Wraith Arrow and he has seen the error of his ways and lifted the death warrant.”
Bare Snow squealed and flung herself on Moon Dog from her sitting position. “Oh, thank you! Thank you! This is wonderful.”
“It was only right that this wrong was corrected,” Moon Dog said. “I am glad to have had the chance to fight alongside you and to have seen your wonderous skill.”
Bare Snow blushed, bouncing in her seated position, smiling. She looked to Law, obviously wanting to fling herself on her and containing herself only because Law was wounded.
“Do you need a place, child?” Moon Dog asked. “Or have you found a home with the humans?”
“I have found my place!” Bare Snow put out a careful hand to Law. “There is a home and a purpose and children to raise. It is a wonderful life now that I am free to live it without fear.”
“I am glad for you,” Moon Dog said. “I believe I have found the life that I was seeking. Long has my name defined me, regardless of what I wanted for myself. I have taken a new name, one that is truly me, and not a fate that I could not escape.”
“That’s wonderful!” Bare Snow said. “I too have a new name, given to me with love. I am Bare Snow.”
“I am Moon Dog.”
“I am Law,” Law said as she realized she too had chosen a new name, abandoning the Lawrie that her parents had saddled her with.
Moon Dog stood with the same grace of a dancer as he had used to sit. “I must go and find my new domou and let him know that I am free of all burdens.”
Bare Snow carefully hugged Law. “This is so wonderful. I had no hope that this would ever happen! I have no fear now that my presence will harm the children.”
It meant that she probably hoped that they would join Usagi’s household. Law was willing, especially if the Bunnies found a larger place. She had come close to leaving Bare Snow adrift in a world without a place that would take her. The Bunnies’ new home wouldn’t be cool like her barn but winters were close to torture, with the windowless old sheep pen being the only place that could be heated. Plus the Bunnies’ home would come with lots of love and comforts like well-cooked meals.
Law smiled at Bare Snow. “I’ll call Usagi to come pick us up.”