Where the River Runs To (Fallen)

[.:Lion:.]

Sunlight glared off the smooth rocks that made up the steep incline of SkyClan’s camp. The river gurgled happily, its pleasant singing melding into the sound of squealing kits, chiding mothers, and chatting warriors that made up life in the Clan. These sounds, the rich smells, the exciting sights, had all become familiar of late. Shriek had stayed in the SkyClan camp for nearly three moons, and she was feeling a sort of connection to the place. She knew she could not hope to stay there as a guest forever. The time would come when she would have to tell Songstar her decision. But Shriek saw nothing wrong in enjoying the moments she had to live with a paw in the Clan and another ready to leave if anything happened. Bonds were the source of suffering. She’d learned that the hard way.

Shriek looked down at the camp from her perch just outside the Visitor's den. The camp was bustling, life as rampant and chaotic as always. She loved the way SkyClan worked, what they stood for, how they all were like a big family. Perhaps that’s why she lingered here. She no longer had a family. Shriek watched as a kit played with its father, the two laughing as they wrestled together. She glanced at the river, watched it flow. Would she have to move on? Or would she stay? Only time would resign her heart to which path she would choose.

[fallenshadow]

Don't hit the tree, don't hit the tree, Foxflame told himself over and over as he raced after the rabbit that kept darting in between tree after tree. The tom wasn't a clutz, there had been a few mishaps where he tripped over nothing but that was all in the past. Maybe he still tripped over the occasional root but no one was around to say so (thank Starclan). With a gasp Foxflame weaved past another oak, he was really starting to hate this rabbit. Why did they always cause him trouble? First there was the one that made him fall into the river and now one that seemed to desperately want the warrior to eat tree bark.

The ginger tom skidded to a halt as his target darted into its den. Ear flattened against his skull Foxflame began to pad away. He knew better than to stick his head inside the den in case it decided to scratch at him and the idea of going blind just didn't seem appealing to Foxflame right now.

The happy sounds of his clanmates were the first to greet his ears as he entered camp. Soon the escaped rabbit was forgotten, well sort of. Revenge would be made, but not now. His golden eyes scanned the camp before landing on a she-cat, the one who had stayed with Skyclan for a few moons. He was curious about her, whether she would stay or not. Without a moments thought he padded over to her. "Beautiful here isn't it?" he inquired.

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek was aware of the tom standing beside her, but she didn’t pay him much heed until he spoke, his question obviously directed at her. She looked up at him, her deep hazel, almost amber, eyes giving him their full attention. She turned her head to the side, her feathery tail flicking lazily.

”Yes,” she said at last, giving him a slight, timid smile, ”It is breathtaking.” As she spoke, her eyes wandered back to the camp, to the numerous cats talking and laughing together, the prey pile stocked by strong warriors, the queens gossiping with the few elders while their kits ran about rampantly. Shriek’s tense smile softened, as did her sharp eyes. She thought of days like this, playing with her littermates, Billy and Tangle. They’d been close. Their whole family had felt rather like a very small Clan, each member wanting to provide for and strengthen the others. Shriek wondered what her brothers would have been like if they’d lived to grow up with her. She wondered what it would have been like to have her family here with her, in SkyClan. A family… She blinked, realizing that her thoughts had strayed. She turned her attention back to Foxflame, her expression open enough if not a bit distant.

[fallenshadow]

Foxflame turned away from the she-cat once she replied satisfied with her answer. Score one for Skyclan. He tilted his head thoughtfully thinking about his clan, it definitely wasn't like the other clans that were located elsewhere. Sure, here there were still dangers but having to live with three other clans in the same area almost it must be difficult. Still, that didn't stop Foxflame from thinking about going on journey to the other clans he was curious about them and the idea nagged at him from time to time.

He looked at the she-cat out of the corner of his eye wondering if she was going to move on as well. It would be a shame if she did, the clan needed new cats and Shriek would make a great addition. Foxflame wanted to ask her if she was going to stay or not but he didn't want to pry, "So, what do think our clan so far have me made an impression on you yet and I hope a good one if so," he asked offering a smile.

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek glanced at Foxflame, considering his words. Was he trying to figure out if she would stay or not? She really didn’t want to be tied down to anything – or anyone – at the moment. But she would be honest, at least.

”It certainly has made an impression. I’ve yet to find a place to warm and… well, like a home, I suppose. I haven’t had anything like that in a while. I’m not sure what to think of it.” She looked down at the camp that spread out below her, bustling and beautiful in its own way. She wondered if she really would stay. It wouldn’t be so bad.

[fallenshadow]

Foxflame lifted a paw and began to lick it flicking it once he was done, a habit he had grown up doing. Swiping it over his face the tom closed his eyes pondering slightly. He felt a surge of empathy towards Shriek, having to go on day to day not having a home, he couldn't imagine it. Looking her over he silently wondered how she managed to do such a thing.

"Well, when I was a kit the elders once told me that a home is a place where there are others that understand you," he said remembering that day, he didn't think much of it then. The other cats didn't really understand him as he was always goofing off, funny how nearly dying can change another point of view, "I always figured that this was my home because this is the place I love best," he said his whiskers twitching, "And I grumble the most here too,"

"I guess it depends on what you think a home should be like," he said the tip of his tail twitching.

[/size]

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek's calm hazel gaze never left the camp below. As Foxflame spoke, images raced through her mind - of loved ones, lost. Her mother, beautiful and kind. Her father, strong and brave. Her brothers, one fiesty and fun-loving and the other calm and clever. Shriek felt a terrible ache in her chest, one that burned like wildfire and felt like claws being plunged into her heart. She tried not to let the pain show, but the memories were fresh, and she was still young. She'd been old enough to leave her family when the worst had happened. But she'd stayed. Sometimes Shriek regretted that decision. At least if she'd left, her father wouldn't have had to work so hard to save her. Images of him standing, looking over his shoulder at her with dark eyes, stayed with her always. She turned to Foxflame at last, her eyes solemn.

"To me, family are those that understand your heart, your pain, your past, all of your shortcomings and accept you anyways. They are the ones that comfort you, protect you, would give thier lives for you without question. You can trust family. They are precious, and all too often taken for granted." She stopped talking abruptly and turned back to the camp, her gaze cloudy.

"Too often." She murmured softly.

[fallenshadow]

Family, a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and sleeping spaces, praising each other for a good catch, inflicting pain and offering to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together, Foxflame thought then shook his head. He didn't necessarily hate it when he began to think deeply about certain subjects. The only problem was that thinking deeply meant things became more serious and that just makes everything all the more real. And that just meant that dark bubbling feeling Foxflame had been feeling these last few moons was rising each time life seemed, it seemed not as happy as he liked to perceive it to be.

"That sounds just about right," Foxflame said softly, "Most things in life are taken for granted, maybe that is just the way things are and as much as it pains us, when it comes time to realize how important they are to us, it's too late,"

He was doing it again.

"When you look out towards them," he said gesturing towards the cats in the clearing, "Do you feel any of what you just described?"

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek did not respond at first. Her eyes never moved, her fair but expressionless face a mask of ice. Thoughts, memories, dreams... they raced through her mind, bringing her back to a different time, a different place...

The young cat looked over her shoulder, eyes wide with horror.

"GO!" The tom cried, glancing at her. His eyes were filled with the pain and agony of a lifetime, but he gave her one final smile, proving his strength. The she-cat's eyes stung, but she managed to turn, running with all her might while shrieks echoed behind her. Suddenly her father's voice filled the air one last time, and she tried to close her ears to his cry, but she heard it. It would forever haunt her. She kept running until her paws were bleeding and numb. When she finally stopped she collapsed on the ground, sobbing. All of her aches and pains dulled in comparrison to the utter emptiness she felt in her heart. There was nothing left. Without her family, she felt nothing...

Shriek turned to Foxflame, her expression unchanged.

"I'm not sure I will ever be able to feel that again." She meowed gently. She paused, then looked back at the clearing, "But... if I could... maybe it would be for them." She added, eyes filling with pain.

[fallenshadow]

"I guess I'll take that answer, for now," Foxflame responded. It troubled him to see a cat, and in Shriek's case, a young cat to be going through such emotional trials. That type of pain was meant for the old and the battle weary not the young and the innocent. When that spark of innocense, the one that let others know that this cat had yet to see the horrors of the world made life seem happier, not by much but just enough. Foxflame had seen others die and he had even been the one to cause it but he maintained that life could still be happy no matter how many bad things had happen, he still had a family and a home to return to.

The tom narrowed his eyes taking in the pain that filled Shrieks. He pressed his mouth together taking on the look of one who was deep in thought after a long moment his countenance returned to normal. "You need to have some fun," he decided, "Tell me something you've always wanted to do but haven't done yet,". Foxflame turned his full attention towards her earnestly curious of what her answer would be and all the same hoping she actually had an answer.

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek glanced at Foxflame, considering. She wouldn't deny him the chance to get to know her. So what would she say? She thought of the feelings she'd had as a kit, the aspirations that had driven her days into a frenzied search for maturity. Now, she just wanted to be back in that innocent time, when she depended on her parents and had them by her side to watch over her. She would have given anything to save them. Even so, she was the only one left, and that cruel reality made Shriek feel the sting of loss more than any cat her age should. So when her mind wandered over the possibilities, she settled on one that was less far fetched than returning back in time to her kithood.

"I've always wanted to race." She meowed, "My brothers raced each other all the time but never let me join them. I always wanted to." Shriek sighed softly, thinking of how many words she'd left out of that wish. I've always wanted to race... with my brothers.

[fallenshadow]

"Race?" he asked in surprise. That indeed threw him for a loop, maybe he had been spending too much time with kits or something. He was used to more extravagant wants and wishes. Part of him was expecting something outrageous, perhaps torment a dog, beat up a two-leg, heck even go after a fox. Which by the way he would have no part of whatsoever, taking on one fox in his life time was enough for him. Anyway, compared to all those a race was simple.

But there was something that Shriek was leaving out Foxflame guessed. To race was one thing, but to share it with something whom she cared for deeply, that was made it special. That was probably why she wanted to do it. "Okay, a race it is," he said with a quick bob of his head. "I Foxflame challenge you Shriek to a race, loser cleans the elder's den," he said with mock uniformity.

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek looked at Foxflame, surprised. Oh, but of course he'd want to do something. Why else would he ask? She thought, chastising herself for not thinking things through enough. But she figured a race with Foxflame might distract her. Who knew, perhaps she would make a friend? She smiled, feeling more alive than she had in moons.

"You're on!" she exclaimed, feeling almost like a kit again, wanting nothing more than to play and run about with her littermates. The feeling was bittersweet, but even so, Shriek was glad to enjoy this moment.

[fallenshadow]

Foxflame's chest rumbled with a loud purr. He was happy to see the she-cat's demeanor change. He had a feeling there was still some sadness there but as long as there was happiness, then it was alright. For now anyways. The ginger tabby tom turned away from Shriek to look at the camp. He was trying to decide the best path for their race, so that they wouldn't trample any of the other cats. Starting at their current location would be fine. Maybe to the camp's entrance or the river. As long as I don't fall in again

"Now before we begin, how does from here to the river sound? Or maybe the camp entrance? Your choice," the river was further away but they would have a way to cool themselves down after the long distance.

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek looked from the steep drop to the river, musing. It would be a longer race if they went for the river. She had confidence she wouldn't fall in, and Foxflame must, as well, if he'd suggested it.

"The river," she meowed with a solemn nod, her paws already itching to take off. Her heart seemed to pound in her chest, and she felt alive again. More alive than she'd felt in moons.

[fallenshadow]

"You got it, from here to the river," Foxflame clarified. To any outsiders Foxflame's next action may have seemed a bit, well, a bit odd, but there were times when the ginger tom got to the point of being too excited that he had to do something so he wouldn't burst. Foxflame jumped a few times before crouching down. The stance he normally used for catching fast prey was now being used to compete in a race, his old mentor would have been so proud of him Foxflame thought with a hint of sarcasm.

"All right, on the count of three, one," he began slowly, a mischievous glint appearing in his eye "Three!" he shouted rushing forward. Yes he was cheating per-say getting a head start, but he was never partial to losing.

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek crouched, as well, committing the new feelings bubbling up inside of her to memory. She imagined herself with her brothers, the pumping adrenaline, the heat of battle in their eyes. And for some reason she saw Foxflame there, too, his mischievous smile a crucial piece of her daydream. When he called out for the race to start, she almost felt as if she was no longer in control of her body. She ran forward with a speed she'd experienced only in terror and flight, but now she could enjoy the sensations that filled her. Her limbs flew in long, powerful strides as her body clung to the ground, rising and falling as she made her way down the cliff, her paws already well accustomed to the feel of smooth stone, picking out holds without a single conscious effort of their owner. Shriek's face lit with an ecstatic smile as she laughed for the first time in many moons, feeling the wind on her face and the world at her paw tips. Her brothers were no longer in her reality, it was just her and Foxflame, and as she watched him, just ahead of her, she felt a stutter in her chest, almost like a missed heartbeat. And was surprised. For the first time in so long, she felt not only alive, but happy. She plunged forward, hoping to pull ahead of them as they reached the bottom of the slope, with only the straight shot to the river left between them and the finish line.

[fallenshadow]

Foxflame was hit with a wave of deja vu as he began to avoid any obstacles that would cause him to trip up and lose his lead over Shriek. Running down the slope was a pain, it was smooth for the most part but that was the problem. He really didn't want to go too fast else he would stumble and somersault forward. Therefore he would lose but as a consolation prize he would not only get to clean out the elders den but also a trip to the medicine cat's den. What fun, he thought sarcastically as he continued to pick his way down the slope, quickly but carefully.

He chanced a look behind him to Shriek, a thrill went through him as he could plainly see that the she-cat was genuinely happy. Though as his paws began to skid on the slope he refocused his attentions. "Foxdung," he spat as he tried to stop him self from falling

[/size]

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek noticed that Foxflame was losing his footing. Alarm spread through her, and she sprinted forward, her body low to the ground, her legs burning as she closed the distance between them. She ran up alongside him, hoping to use her shoulder to steady him so he wouldn't fall. Her paws slipped on the uneven terrain, making her own stance reel. Shriek planted her weight onto her hind paws, trying to slow herself as she began to slide down the remainder of the slope, her muscles straining to stay upright. But as she opened her mouth, it wasn't a scream or exclamation that left it, but a thrilled bright tingling laugh that rang in the air like a sweet symphony of bells.

[fallenshadow]

Foxflame was expecting the she-cat to race ahead of him to take advantage of his slip up not helping him keep his balance. He welcomed the help but did want to send her crashing forward. He tried shifting his weight finding it difficult to do so with the ground moving beneath him. He grunted in frustration nearly falling forward once more. The pads of his paws were beginning to feel raw from the friction between them and the ground. Then he heard it, Shriek laughing. He stared at her in amazement never expecting to hear that at all.

Maybe it was her laughter that knocked him back into his senses. This was fun and that feeling of delight erased the previous pain, a laugh of his own bubbled up. Though the glee was cut short when he hit the bottom the momentum from the incline sent him tumbling forward, straight into the river...again.

[/size]

[.:Lion:.]

The thrill of their race pounded through Shriek's veins, hammering in her chest like a hammer. She laughed happily, feeling more alive than she had in ages. Cold shock ran up her legs as she landed, her claws scraping on stone. A flash of fur passed before her eyes. Shriek gasped as Foxflame darted forward and then landed in the river. She slid to a stop, reaching out, hoping to hook a paw in his fur and pull him closer to her so she could pull him up. She strained, hoping not to fall in, but knowing she would do anything to keep him from drowning. A thousand memories passed before her eyes, making her heart ache. Images of blood, family, death... She wouldn't let it happen again!

[fallenshadow]

The water weighed down his fur dragging him downwards. Foxflame didn't try to resist the pull, this wasn't the first time it happened, he learned a few tricks about getting out of the river, and one thing he learned, flailing around like a furball didn't help at all. Once his hind legs touched the pebbled bottom Foxflame was aware of something grabbing on his fur. Shriek he told himself so that he didn't struggle away. Tensing his muscles Foxflame pushed himself upwards.

In a shower of crystal droplets Foxflame's head broke the surface, reaching forward with his water logged paws the ginger tabby clawed at the ground before hauling himself out of the water, the task made difficult due to the water weighing down his fur. He coughed a few times before looking at Shriek and flashing her a smile, "I win"

[/size]

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek couldn't help but smile, the expression lighting up her pretty face. She looked younger, then, more carefree. She flicked her thick tail in a friendly way, tilting her head to the side.

"Yes," she said happily, "I guess we'll have to have a rematch later. When you're not so weighed down by river water." She meowed, laughing softly. She felt so cheerful - more so than she had in many years.

[fallenshadow]

Foxflame felt young, of course finding a time when he didn't feel this way was rare and he wasn't that old to begin with but still, this was nice. He knew that he could get used to being around Shriek, she faced horrors in her past but seeing the way her face lit up, he knew that her future was far brighter. Pushing himself up Foxflame gave himself a quick shake sending a shower of water to his surrounding area, Shriek included.

"You'll still lose," he joked, "But if you need help cleaning out the elders den, I guess I could help you out, I guess I did sort of cheat,"

[/size]

[.:Lion:.]

Shriek winced at the feeling of cold water, her eyes growing wide as she cowered away from it, shivering. Scenes played out before her eyes of darkness, cold, the water, icy water, she couldn't breathe... Suddenly Shriek realized she wasn't in danger and took a few gasping breaths, her dugs tearing against the stone. She straightened and turned away, hoping that Foxflame hadn't noticed her panic attack. She didn't want any cat to know what she feared, she didn't want to seem weak, even when she probably was.

"You don't really have to help." She said meekly, "I can do it."