Brigitte flinched at his grip on her wrist, but soon he let go. He stood up in a rush, getting into some type of defensive stance she had never seen before. White hair fluttered around tan shoulders and his gray eyes stayed locked onto hers. The looks he gave were between confusion and fear. A snort he made showed that his wounds had been agitated from the sudden movement and growled in some strange language.

She couldn’t recognize a single thing he said. His speech was nothing close to anything she had heard before. It didn’t even sound like the language of Ana’s native tongue. She had to see if he could understand her.

“Do you understand me at all?” Each word came out calmly and slowly.

The man squinted his eyes as if he maybe was trying to contemplate her words, though still defensive. “Little..”

It was a start. Though the words didn’t flow out of his mouth, as if he was struggling to pronounce them.

“I am Brigitte.” Pointing at herself.

He stared at her intensely, looking as if searching for something. There were several moments that passed before he repeated her motions and spoke. “Hanzo..” 

Brigitte gave him a small smile, hoping it would ease the tension that filled the room. It seemed he knew she was trying to exchange names. “You are in my village. I found you in the forest near death. The healers saved you.” 

By the change in his facial features, Brigitte swore it was like he was conversing with someone other than her. Until he returned his gaze back to Brigitte and, in another struggling attempt at the language, said. “Thank you.”

Now that it had finally calmed down, Brigitte let her eyes examine him. In all the mayhem that he was bare as the day he was born flew right over the woman’s head. Nudity wasn’t something that bothered her, but she still blushed at Hanzo’s form. 

After another awkward pause, Brigitte watched Hanzo wrap the blanket around his waist and sit down. It surprised her how much calmer he was suddenly. Though the low grunt that escaped his lips changed her focus to a large stain seeping into the bandages across his chest.

“Oh, no! You’re bleeding.” She was at his side in an instant, causing him to go wide-eyed, then hiss in pain as the woman pulled away his bandages carefully. The worst of the wounds had opened, so she quickly put pressure on it.

“I heard some voices, is everything alright?“ Ana said, pushing aside the door’s curtain. Noticing that her patient was up and moving too much, as well as bleeding. “I shall get some fresh dressing. Lean him back down.” 

“Trust us.” Brigitte said, attempting to get Hanzo to lay back as per Ana’s orders. Which he allowed, even if he kept giving her a reserved look.

Returning with some salve and linen, the older woman went to his side and allowed Brigitte to remove the blood drenched cloth. Investigating how bad they could be. “Hold still, for this will sting.”

Brigitte watched Hanzo’s nose curl up at the smell. Though she knew what would come next. That the sting comment was an understatement. Shown by the low growl, almost like a wolf, that left his lips and the twitch of his arm like he wanted to retaliate. 

“That should do it, Brigitte, apply the cloth before the salve dries too much.” Ana gave them a stern look, watching Brigitte wrap the linen again, then clean her hands. “We have to ensure he makes no more sudden moves. He cannot agitate the wound like that again.”

“I’ll help keep an eye on him.” Brigitte said, propping Hanzo up against the pillows.

“Then I shall dispose of these.” Ana said, glancing between the two younger ones. “As well as getting something for our guest to eat.”

With that, Ana left the side room, leaving Brigitte alone with Hanzo.

Brigitte’s concerned blue eyes met his, deciding on what to say. “Sorry..umm..your wound should be fine for now. Do you need anything? We’re getting food for you if you are hungry.”

By the way he looked at her, it wasn’t working. Brigitte thought of something while they waited for Ana. Taking a bag from the back pouch on her belt, Brigitte opened it and took out a few dried berries, holding out her hand to offer them. Grey eyes looked back between the hand and her face before tilting his head. Being patient, Brigitte took one berry and ate it to show him it was fine. “Berries, food.”

Hanzo observed her movements. His hand reached over and took what she offered, sniffing at the bunch before eating a few. 

Brigitte smiled. At least some progress was being made. In the other room, she heard two voices, one that came from Ana and the other Angela. Hearing them mention something about meals and what she believed was Hanzo.

“Brigitte?”

“Coming.” Brigitte said, getting up slowly, then turned to Hanzo, putting her hand up. “Stay here, I’ll return.” Giving a small smile in hopes to reassure him before heading through the curtain.

“Ah, Brigitte, Ana has informed me of what occurred while I was out, that our guest has awoken.” Angela said, upon seeing Brigitte enter. “Can he speak any of our tongue?”

“Very little from what I’ve communicated.” Brigitte said. “It’s possible he might understand more by hearing. Though I got his name and it’s one I have never heard of, Hanzo.”

Ana said. “I’ve met no one with a name like that in all my experiences.”

“Neither have I.” Angela said, bringing her hand up to her lips in thought. “I expected a lot more resistance, but he seems to have trusted you to some extent.”

“Does this mean he can stay?”

“He stays here until his wounds are healed. I do not let a patient go about ailing if I have any say in the matter. After that, his choice determines what happens next.” Angela said, handing two bowls of stew after attaching a waterskin to Brigitte’s belt. “For now, take this to him and let him eat and drink, slowly. I have more to discuss with Ana.”

Brigitte nodded and turned on her heels, moving back to the other room to see Hanzo in some state of meditation. Well, that was what Ana had called it. Though she felt bad to disturb him except his eyes opened and tilted his head in her direction. She wondered if it was the smell of the stew.

“Be careful it is hot.” She said while handing it to him and placing the skin to his right. After the man took the food and started causally, only to scarf it a few moments later. “Slower.”

Maybe he understood that, calmly eating once more, mumbling something that seemed like he was saying thank you before eating at it heartily. Brigitte also started on her meal, not that she was all that hungry, but she ate it anyway. Though, it made Brigitte happy that he seemed to enjoy it. From what she could guess, it had been a while since he had a good home cooked meal.

Even though it was rude to do so while he ate and drank, Brigitte stared at Hanzo. Something about him enticed her so. Her mind wandered about, mainly about the dreams she had before Hanzo showed up. Especially the gray eyes, the same shade from the wolves that guided her. If any sign of that animal appeared around here, their eyes were always yellow. There were also the white locks that adorned his head. Hanzo seemed a little older than her, but that shade usually showed on someone of Reinhardt’s or even her papa’s age.

The language barrier didn’t help much. Brigitte wished to speak with him more, but it would take time to teach him, which she was willing to help with. If he was even willing to stay after his injuries recovered. She really hoped he wanted to stay...

What broke her absent-minded staring was his eyes meeting hers with intrigue.

“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.” She stuttered out, the blush getting worse across her freckled cheeks. Why was she like this?

His next few words were disjointed, but Brigitte knew he was trying, “Me..learn..words.”

Brigitte nodded, giving him another warm smile. “Yes.”

Hanzo gave her one in return, since he seemed to understand, though next he gave another yawn. He suddenly felt tired again. Thinking it was from finally getting a good meal and the fact that his wounds were recovering.

“Sleep, it is late and you need it.”

He looked up at her, but the only word he picked up was sleep. So after handing her the bowl that he had finished, Hanzo gave her an attempted bow from his sitting position. Brigitte was going to leave him to rest, but a warm hand caught her arm in surprise. Looking back, she wondered what Hanzo wanted.

“Remain?”

Her eyes went a little wide in surprise. Brigitte didn’t expect that, but she would grant his wish. Tilting her head to acknowledge him, slipping away long enough to get rid of the object in her hand and grab an extra fur blanket.

Hanzo seemed happier when she returned and had wrapped himself up in the furs that were once around his waist, laying down. Brigitte looked curiously at him before stoking the fire. Watching over him until she herself fell asleep.

-----------

Hanzo stirred from his sleep, a small lift on the corner of his mouth when he felt the aura of his constant companions. Two white wolves nuzzled Hanzo's hands as he scratched behind their ears to say thank you.

Opening his eyes, Hanzo tilted his head and took his time to adjust again to his surroundings. By the light of the dimming fire, leaning against the bedpost, was the woman he learned was called Brigitte.

Little one...You can trust her...would we lead you astray?

And she’s a lot easier on the eyes…than the others that went after us.

Hanzo snorted silently at the voices.  

From what he noticed, she and that other woman weren’t a part of the assailants that had been berating him, since there was no sign of the strange bird-like tattoo. He was still cautious, but the aura here seemed peaceful and it put his ills at ease somewhat. His eyes drifted back to the girl in front of him that gave off the most peacefulness. Blue eyes had looked at him with both curiosity and shyness. It was almost endearing. Hanzo wished he could communicate with this woman besides random words that probably made little sense in any context.

Give it time...you know we’ll help.