(love that song)
---Zar POV
I was adding strip of bandages when some else came up to the cave. I was a little consumed in making sure I didn't kill this guy. I had ended the fight a tad harder than I intended and, unsurprisingly, saving lives was not a practiced skill with me. I tend, uuummm, skip the thought on how to heal injuries, partially in-between bites.
The lion skull still seamed to be in one piece, though cracked in two places, not much I could do for that, though luckily predator Halflings tend to heal quickly. He was going to hurt like crap getting up so I bandaged it anyway, call it a warning not to touch the sensitive area. His shoulder was another area a certain bear slammed, and it was in much worse shape. The bone was almost completely cracked through. The flesh was ripped open in five places, strange; I had the same number of claws on my right paw...odd.
I wrapped it up tightly in a fresh white bandage. I heard a groan from the lion, so I loosened them a bit.
"Is he going to live?"
I shifted to my human form, hoping thumbs would help get the bandages right.
"Yes", I replied, “but pity the monstrous head ache he will have getting up."
"How bad will it be?"
"Ever asked a truck driver to run over your face?"
I picked him up, in my bear form, and laid him on my little nook I was asleep in a hour before.
The cow boy straggled in, his eyes hooded, and asked about his friend.
The human looked at her friend, "Are you okay?"
"I'll...be fine..."
I didn't know what was going on, but I knew that telling the guy about the cliff less than a mile from here might not be the best idea. I also knew that he had to stay there, he was staring at the lion and I knew the stare. I'm happy that I never was cut harshly to that level. He wasn't living anymore, he was just surviving till his promises ran out. Not a state you want someone in.
"So your looking for place to stay, aren’t you?"
Silence. It was a yes, a group of Halflings was hard to take care of.
"We'll if you promise me to stay here while I step out for a bite. I might help you."
Silence.
"Just thinking, most halfers out here are just struggling to keep their lovers and groups safe."
His head lowered, trying to hide to fresh wave of tears. Ouch, I thought, I'm sorry dude for bring that up, but I can't let you hurt yourself. People keep zooming in a out of the cave like they depend on you, your so lucky I won't let you throw it away.
I threw on a false smile, “Well, nobody wants to depend on a starving bear, they might come off pretty bad."
I pawed out of the cave. I broke out on trot sniffing the air. Prey was sleeping in it's den and it would take a while to get a yummy fish, I guess I should go for a deer. Hmmm, I think I'm going to need two deer tonight.
I picked up a scent and went after it. I won't go into to much detail, but I bit through the first deer neck, and out ran the other, who I finish with a single paw to the shoulder. I didn't usually hunt so easy, but these deer were used to my smaller slower cousins the grizzlies, and though they were still big enough to scare off wolverines (nasty little suckers!!) I was a tad more...ummm... more.
I grabbed the first and drug it a ways till I got to a certain cave mouth. I flung it at a boulder. I pawed off, leaving the kill to the little ones in the cave. If I'm going to care for someone, I can't go halfway.
------------------------------
HE'S JUST A LITTLE TEDDY BEAR!!!
That weights more than some whales.
Zar: "Mmmm, whale"
Pierce -
"That's why you need to go back." Tamotsu told me, his voice laced with sorrow.
My horrified expression didn't change, but now the bear was staring. I was on my feet in an instant. When I spoke, my voice was broken, "I know..." I looked down, "Tamotsu...She's dead, isn't she?" I felt his renewed sadness coming off of him in waves, I saw him nod. I bit my lip, my eyes filled to the brim with unshed tears.
I knew this would happen, so i couldn't cry...I had heard this story from our orphanage so many times. Every day I would beg them to say they were lying, and every day they would turn their heads to my living nightmare.
Her mother had committed suicide after throwing an angry fit about giving birth to someone inhuman and throwing her newborn child at the owner.
They told us all not to get attached to the poor girl. That it would be easier that way, and most of us listened...save me, and my two human brothers. We became her family. We became her friends, and her support...We thought that as long as we were here, she would be fine.
But, soon, my brothers left us, in human horror at our differences. She had left, too, and I knew that, alone, she wouldn't last through so many cold days...
When I found her, she had been fine, though. Perfect and beautiful, as if her sickness was gone. For a while...I dreamed that her sickness was gone. We would never be limited by it again, and soon, I forgot that she was my first priority. I forgot that I had to protect her from everything, and...and...
"If Jake wakes up...tell him I'll be right back." I choked out, then ran from the cave, the bear and Tamotsu staring at me as I fled. I had to get out of there. I had to see...
When I got to the group, I couldn't tell who all had rushed to mourn over my almost-lover. I just knew there was a group of people and I couldn't see her. One wonderful person, though I didn't know who the hell they were, noticed my arrival, and helpfully nudged people out of my way, to reveal blindingly scarlet snow, and Kasumi, holding Maki's now limp form.
My eyes were large and glassy, and I fell to my knees beside Kasumi, I swallowed hard, trying to dispel the knot that was preventing me from speaking. Once I was capable of speaking, I got Kasumi out of her trance, "...Please..." I choked out, "Can I...hold her for a minute...?" I asked almost silently.
Kasumi handed the limp-bodied girl to me gently, nodding softly, "Thanks..." I whispered, then looked down at Maki, then nearly choking on my tears. I brushed her wavy hair out of her face, then wiped the remaining blood from her face. At least someone had closed her eyes...If I saw them lifeless...what would I do...?
"...She...She sad that she loved you..." I heard Kasumi whisper.
My eyes widened, and tears started making their way down my face. I let out an audible sob, then covered my mouth. I had been so close...In the end, she was in reach, after all. Oh, Gods...
I looked around, and saw everyone avoid my gaze...Ice was unconscious, and being bandaged, so at least he was okay...
I sighed, I...had to get back to Jake...
"You can go, if you want to." the Soricid whispered, reading my mind.
I nodded tightly, laying Maki down in the soiled snow. "Goodbye, my almost lover...Goodbye, my hopeless dream..." I whispered, then ran back to the cave. I had to be there when Jake woke up, or at least make sure he was awake...that he would wake up...I choked, remembering Maki's body one more time. I had let her die...I had failed...
I arrived at the cave to see Tamotsu watching a still-sleeping Jake, "He...hasn't woken up...?" I asked, making sure.
Tamotsu nodded, getting up, "Are you okay?" he asked me gently.
I swallowed, "I'll...be fine..." I answered, sitting down in my corner as
Tamotsu left hesitantly.
I would leave as soon a Jake woke up, though. My Promise did not extend to letting him watch me suffer. He didn't care about me, so sneaking away wouldn't matter to him.
I would talk to him when I could pretend that I was okay. Until then, he would get the silence that he had wanted since the second he showed up.
So I sat in the corner of the cage and cried for the first time since I was five. Gods, I hated my life.
Tamotsu~
Kasumi sure seemed bent on revealing Jake's true intentions, but I felt that maybe he should be given another chance.
I sat on the snowy ground for a moment and thought.
I wouldn't pester Jake as much as Kas but I would certainly keep an eye on him just in case.
But where was he now?
"Jake and some others went off to find a cave or something to camp in," Kasumi said as though reading my mind and sat beside me. She was in her human form still but with her Soricid ears, probably in an attempt to monitor the lion-halfer's movements.
I nodded in understanding and drew lines in teh snow, "But something's wrong. You feel it too, Kasumi-sama."
She nodded sadly and adjusted her gloves.
All of a sudden, her ears perked up and she ran through teh group.
Without questioning, I jumped up and followed her to a Timber wolf halfer in her human who was coughing.
She whispered something inaudible to myself but Kasumi took her by the shoulders and kept saying, "Maki, are you alright?"
The poor girl kept coughing up blood onto the snow so I rushed over as well, although I knew there was no way to help her.
Kasumi picked the girl up and held her in her arms.
Maki got some words out between coughs, "Please...find Harmony...please, please...Have patience in...Pierce...Don't let him leave the group..."
She smiled then and her last words were, "Tell...him...I loved him...I'll m...iss...you all...Thank you..."
Then the light faded from her eyes and the coughing ceased.
I reached out tenderly with my left hand and shut her eyes.
Then Kasumi huddled over the girl's body and held her tightly as others gathered around.
"She's gone, Kas," I said softly, "Let her go now. We should find Pierce."
"You go find him," she ordered me without letting go of Maki, "She'll get cold if we put her down."
I shook my head but ran off to find Sky.
"Sky!" I yelled to her, "Maki just...is gone now. She's dead. Where is Pierce?"
"Pierce went to the cave with Jake I think," she told me after a moment of shock.
Then Ice ran up, bleeding and gasping for breath,"Jake and Pierce are in a cave with a giant bear."
Without waiting to hear more, I ran, following Ice's footprints before the disappeared.
When I finally found the cave, I saw the giant bear bandaging up Jake and Pierce sitting against the wall with his knees drawn up to his chin.
Moving quietly, I made my way towards pierce and asked, "What happened? Never miind that. Go back and find Sky and the others. I'll look after Jake."
He looked confused for a second then said, "I can't leave him. I promised...How's Maki?"
I looked at him sorrowfully and told him softly, "That's why you need to go back."
continue?
In this post:
Ice
Sky
Maki(for a little :(
Jake(kinda)
Pierce
Pierce -
"Fine, fine!" Jake said suddenly, a harsh look in his eyes, "Just make sure the group comes quick, because I'll be in bad shape and so will the bear!" and stopped dead then he sped off the opposite way.
My eyes were wide. "IDIOT!" I screeched. I looked over at Ice, "Ice, go to the group and get your wounds bandaged, but tell them to get over here. Quick." I didn't wait for confirmation before speeding back to the cave, muttering "Idiotidiotidiotidiotidiotidiot" compulsively. I think I might have been referring to myself a little bit, but who knows. I hated that he'd taken me seriously and gone up against a real threat. Why would anyone take me seriously?!
Suddenly, I shivered, and felt an urge to run back to the group. I didn't know why, but...
I shook the instinct out of my head and ran faster toward the cave. It was just nerves, right? It was nothing, I was just hoping Jake was alright, and hoping Ice would get help soon.
When I made it to the cave, I saw Jake. He was absolutely battered, bloodied, and bruised--and very unconscious.
I also saw the bear bandaging him up, and attempting to stop the bleeding on some of the worse gashes.
...
I didn't say anything for a moment, just leaning up against the wall, watching as the bear took care of the sleeping lion. This could be in a story book. "You should change the bandage on his leg, it's soaked." I said quietly, looking down at them, my eyes unreadable. Jake's right leg was by far the worst...it sort of looked like the bear had stepped on it. I winced. Ouch.
The bear looked over at me, mildly surprised. "You came back?"
I smirked with no humor, "You thought I was going to leave him? With you?"
"But, you--"
"Okay, Gods, stop. Stop with the surprised 'you's, I want to talk to you without feeling completely idiotic." I sighed, looking back down at Jake and feeling guilty.
"You should get out." the bear said, looking at me solemnly, "Do you want your brain eaten?"
I glared down at him, my expression hard, but my voice light and mocking, dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, well, honestly, I've always wanted to try it. You know, at least once." I let my voice match my expression now, "I'm afraid that you don't scare me. I'm going to stay here until Jake wakes up--or at least is about to wake up." I sat down resolutely.
He looked at me oddly, "Are you insane?"
"No, I just have nothing to lose--" I found my mouth saying without my mind's consent. I do, too, have something to lose! What about Maki, moron?!
What about Maki? a small whisper in the back of my mind challenged.
Fear coursed through me, and I drew my knees up under my chin. Oh, Gods...what happened? What happened? Did something happen? I wanted to run back to the group. I wanted to see that Maki was safe and sound with Sky and her friends, but...but...
My eyes were wide and frightened, but I refused to move. I couldn't leave Jake. I promised myself since I saw him that I wouldn't let him drown in hatred and darkness, and if it were me to wake up and find that no one had come to get me...
I'd hate everyone. So, it didn't matter that Jake would be stronger than I would and would react differently--I had to stay.
No matter what...
--
Maki -
I smiled wider, the ever-lingering pain in my chest growing every second, looking at everyone as they chatted happily. The snow...the beautiful snow was making me worse.
I was dying.
I had been dying since the day I was born, a wolf cub set in my trembling mother's arms as she realized that she had given birth to a monster.
That I was a monster.
The doctors told her I was sickly. My heart was too weak. Infested with illness. I wouldn't live past twelve, and if I did, every day may be my last.
They told her that I'd live if she'd let them commence immediately in surgery when I turned one.
My mother had smiled, then whispered, "This child...is not mine." she had me put up for adoption immediately.
Too bad no one wanted a wolf child.
Though things had gotten better as my life went on, my sickness had gotten worse.
I had always known that I'd lose anything I ever wanted.
The sick girl who had yearned for her best friend.
The sick wolf who had wanted to see Harmony.
The sick child who had wanted a friend.
I should have known they would never last..."Find Harmony..." I whispered, then began coughing and coughing. I noticed, in horror, I was coughing up my own blood.
I was ruining the pure, white snow.
Oh, Harmony, I ruined everything...People were calling my name, but I couldn't heard them. I smiled, having been picked up by someone. But, not Pierce...I was glad he had went off to find Jake. He had to find his own happiness somewhere. He had to make his own friends..."Please...find Harmony..." I got out between coughs, "Please, please...Have patience in...Pierce...Don't let him leave the group..." I smiled, all of my senses gone, "Tell...him...I loved him...I'll m...iss...you all...Thank you..."
And, the world was gone.
~~
RIP MAKI (Yes, she's really dead ^^;)
Continue?
I was trying not to laugh, I seriously was. It’s not every day a 2257 pound bear get stood up to, especially by a freaking cow. I got to give him points though, out of all the cows I've eaten, none of them had the brains to bite back. Usually they sat there mowing their heads off while I ripped my way through there bright red muscular system. I hate to be to bloody but cow brains really are a delicacy to most bears, it's has a creamy consistency...
"Well! Whaddya know? Guess I am a cow! Hah! Geez, no one had ever told me before, and I guess I got a little cocky--RUN!" He grabbed the wolf and ran out of the cave as fast as he could.
"You didn't listen to me either?! Aughhhh! Dammit!" screamed the cow. Guess I can count on them NOT teaming up against me.
In a flash of gold the lion came sprinting toward the cave. Brave guy, guess he didn't realize that I weight more than 4 of him. I stood up on my hind legs and roared. Please don't make me hurt you.
Needless to say he didn't stop, blurring in and jumping up he went for the neck. Please, you and every god-damn wolf on my island. He got a paw in the face. I was try so hard to be light but he was thrown off in the opposite direction. Like any good cat he landed on feet and like any dumb alpha predator he kept coming. I took a few steps out of the cave.
He started to circle around, looking for a opening. Thank god, he wasn't to dumb, he starting to use his speed against me. I knew he was a a good 15 mph faster than me in a good charge, benefit of his light skeleton. He moved around me in a quick fashion, his paws lightly touching the ground. Reminded me of a pack of African wild dogs I once met, the 50 of them took turns circling after I ate 3 or 4 of their brothers. I waited calmly for him to attack the back of my neck, like any good hunting big cat.
He didn't keep me waiting, as soon as he got to my 9 o'clock he pounced. Instinctively I stood and threw my claws down, I felt my claw rip flesh and crack bone as well my hip get lightly raked.
The lion crawled out of paw range and tried to get up, pitiful.
I pawed over and looked at him. I raised a paw and struck him on the head, knocking him out, he was hurt enough. I grabbed the mane and dragged him into the cave. Hoping I remembered to pack away some bandages in my nook.
