bLa.ck Rapids<<

[Basil<<]

Deep in the hills of Achromatic Eclipse, there is a stream. At one point in the stream a large precipice juts out of it, surrounded by large mossy boulders scattered about in the water. This stream, it behaves as water should- it goes over the large one, creating a waterfall, and around the smaller boulders with practiced ease.

The sun, at the moment, was shining fairly bright as it filtered through the green summertime trees. The dappled shade danced as a soft wind stirred the leaves. The place had a surreal glow to it, one that was beautiful yet deceivingly dangerous. Many a life had been lost at the claws of what most cats called the Black Rapids.

Most cats didn't dare venture near the dangerous frothy waters. But, surprisingly, a form was hunched over the edge of the water, a length away from the waterfall. The semi-still water before the she-cat's white paws licked the bank like a hungry animal. Her orange and white pelt looked unrealistically soft in the hazy sunlight as she sat brooding.

Callie's long tail flicked suddenly, and she stood, slashing a paw through the water with sudden ferocity. She was angry at herself, her feelings. Maybe even a bit confused also. Her bright jade eyes glistened with tears of frustration. She lowered them to the stream in front of her, her sad reflection echoed back up at her like a twin. a teardrop distorted the image, and Callie sat back, one paw raised to wipe the foolish tears away from her eyes.

Throughout this little episode, all had been quiet but for the dull roar of the waterfall and the light trill of bird call. it stayed that way for many moments until a low growl erupted from her throat. She clawed the ground, ripping up loam and scattering loose river stones. Her thoughts were troubling, enough even to ruffle Callie's smooth fur.

Her past haunted her, as cliche as it sounded. She knew her history was not as tragic as some, but it had some pretty dark components to it. Her feelings were what were bothering her the most, however; such things were what made her the way she was at the moment. She stopped abruptly at what she was doing and sat, trying to organize her roiling thoughts. As she sorted, a certain tom's image floated to the surface like cream on milk. This tom was causing so much trouble, so much pain in her. Callie was strong enough, but her heart was still healing from the dark happenings that occured not too long ago in her past. She didn't want her heart broken again.

She stared at her paws for a moment before rising and padding quietly to the edge of the stream. The water was fairly calm at this part, and it looked mighty inviting. She slid into the water with practiced ease, the refreshing chill wiping away her troubling thoughts. It's true, Callie was definitely a water cat.

She gliding around in the water like claws through air, her eyes bright. She dunked under the water and sped under the surface like an otter, joy spreading like the wings of an eagle in her heart. For a few precious moments she could escape the troubles which plagued her any other time.

She surfaced with a splash, sending diamond-like drops cascading all around her. She climbed onto one of the large boulders, a rather flat topped one. She laid to sun herself dry, her green eyes sparkling with good nature. She drifted off quickly into slumber, her bright red and white fur steaming pleasantly under the hot summer sun.

Callie woke a while later, feeling refreshed to the core. She stood on the rock, stretching luxuriously. she jumped on rocks all the way to the edge of the stream then jumped onto the banks. She sat, facing the stream, her tail curled around her paws.

The sun was beginning to set, and the sky was painted many different hues of red, orange, pink and yellow. The sun, it was a dark burgundy, like clotted blood, but strangely, it was so comforting and beautiful to see. Maybe it was the fact that she knew that the sun would be up in the sky, same as always. There would be no death, no pain, no change for the sun.

[Basil<<]

((
BUMP

I really would like it if Ran ran replied here. Ranneh-poo, this could be where things start to develop, if you want. He still hasn't talked to her alone since the meeting, really, so now would be a good time while she's alone. it could be a couple days later or whenever if you want.
))

[Deadstar]

((Again, it will be short and crappy. I can barely see out of my glasses.))

Time. Its a curious thing, isnt it? It can heal wounds; create new ones; bind friends together; create lovers. Time is amazing. It can seem to fly by, when one is enjoying oneself. And yet, sometimes it can crawl by, making one seem miserable. Time.

It was a few days after Deadstar had learned of Desiree's troubling past. It was a few days after he had reversed the code of Acrome. It was a few days after the meeting with the new slaves.

The huge black tom had traveled deep into Chaos Hills before, but never this far into their innards. He knew they ran for miles and miles, but he normally stayed away from them. Why? Who knew. This cat is an odd one.

It was not long before he came across a stream. The black tom followed it til it reached a rocky crop where it formed a waterfall. Uncaring about getting wet, Deadstar leaped onto the topmost rock and sat there, looking out over the land. He had not yet seen Callie.

And he still did not. He had followed her scent here, but had lost it when the scent of water drifted into his nose. The cat curled into a ball and laid his tail over his paws, like some sort of makeshift pillow that he could rest his large head on.

And he did just that, laying his skull onto his tail and closing his icy blue voids. His maw parted and he swiped his tongue around his lips after a moment.

A splash woke him from his doze, startling him to his paws. Having forgot he was in water, he slipped as he was landing and went down the falls. He yowled as he hit the water.

Smooth, Dead, you just made a total fool of yourself. he thought, surfacing, thick black fur soaked to thebone. What was worse, he had torn a claw as he went down. Shivering, he swam over the to shore.

The cat that had made the splash was Callie herself. Great. he thought angerily, crawling onto the shore. He shook his fur, shivering. Just what I need. My ex-slave having seen me make a fool out of myself. Excellent. The whole damn posse will know by midnight.

The sun was going down, meaning it was cooling off. Deadstar shook his fur again, trying to get the water out. His claw was aching, torn terribly from the rock as he had tried to regain his balance. Wincing, the tom tried to make it to the trees so Callie could not see him, but soon gave that up as the claw gave him more trouble.

[Basil<<]

Callie looked up, content and drying slowly, from her perch on the edge of the stream. The sun was almost set, and the sky was a deep blood red. Her fur was stained red as she stood, peering curiously out into the water. That splash had been much too large for a fish.

Her ears flicked back as she realized it was a cat. She watched it's progress to the shore, unsure as to who it was. It seemed they had fallen off a rock. She smiled, eager to find out who it was she had startled into the water.

Callie watched silently as the cat dragged itself up onto the banks, and she let out a gasp of mingled surprise and laughter. She suppressed the laughter and sat, waiting for Deadstar to gain back a little of his dignity. The sun was almost gone as the moon peeked out from behind a cloud, washing the scene with it's silver glow.

She stood and took a step, smiling as Deadstar attempted to shake off more of the water. She watched a bit closer, noting he was shivering and that one paw was leaving red stains on the silver-washed leaves. He must have hurt his paw when he fell.

She took a couple more steps forward, concern washing away the humor. She halted, a confused look on her face. Concern, for her ex-master? Worry overcame her confusion and she padded over to him, hesitantly. She had no idea what his mood would be like.

She didn't even wait for an explanation before crouching down to look at his paw. Torn claw. she muttered, barely loud enough to hear. She walked off without saying another word, slipping into some bushes and muttering to herself.

She came out a moment later with some herbs in her maw. She smiled. She knew storing some herbs here would come in handy. She had them all over achrome's territory, and this had to be the first time she'd been able to use her emergency stores.

She tossed them in front of her in a jumble, sorting them out. She picked out a few and popped them in her mouth, not even wincing at their bitter taste. She spat them out onto her paw. It wasn't much, but you didn't need much for a torn claw. She smiled up at his waterlogged face, mild humor in her eyes.

She pressed the poultice in gently, knowing how much it would sting. She turned without a word, waiting for the reprimand. She didn't much care anymore. She grabbed a stick covered in cob webs from the jumble of dried herbs, unwinding it carefully.

She turned again, finding herself face to face with Deadstar, who was looking sheepish and rather irritable. She smiled, humor radiating from her pretty face. I won't tell anyone. she meowed, then began pressing the small amount of cobwebs onto his bleeding paw.

She glanced up, waiting with mild unease for his reaction. She was also waiting for him to speak, as her gentle paws finished working on his paw. She took a step back and sat, one ear flicked back.

[Deadstar]

Still shaking from the cold water, Deadstar lifted his hurt paw and licked it, wincing everytime his rough tongue slid over the claw. He finally stopped, mainly because it was not helping it. Feeling like a fool, Deadstar looked over at the she-cat, looking miserable. He felt utterly stupid. Note to self: No more laying on wet rocks.

Ears laying against his head, he looked over his shoulder at the moon, which was slowly rising. Great. he thought, looking back around at the forest. He'd freeze the entire night. Callie came over, watching him carefully. He could tell she was wary about his mood, but all Deadstar felt was humilation.

She reached him; the black feline opened his mouth to speak, but she ignored him. She was leaning over his paw. 'Torn claw.' he heard her say faintly, before she turned and left. A look of utter confusion crossed the tom's wet visage. She must be going to get some herbs to heal the wound.

Deadstar hissed, a long and drawn out hiss. He ws furious that he had done such a foolish stunt. He should have been more carefully. Finally, Callie returned, carrying some herbs. Deadstar realized she must have many stores of them across the land. Smart cat. he thought, slightly amused.

He lifted the offending paw so she could placxe the poultice on it. It stung like hell and Deadstar winced slightly, but other than that gave away nothing. He had felt more pain than this, but it was the humilation that was making him wince.

'I won't tell anyone.' Callie's words barely reached his ears. Deadstar was shivering; this was the worst cold he had ever felt. And he had felt a lot of colds. Finally, he decided to say something back to her, just as she stepped away. He placed the paw on the ground.

Thank you. That was it. Nothing more. The black cat laid down, drawing his tail over his paws. Finally, he allowed a soft chuckle to escape him. I screwed up, laying on that rock. he said softly, voice amused to an extent. But the pain and disgust in himself was clear in his troubled gaze.

((Poor Dead xDD This can really bring them together))

[Basil<<]

Callie noted his shivering, sympathy in her gaze. She looked up at his face once more, a sympathetic smile on her maw as she gazed up at his, which was radiating humiliation. She had noted that he hadn't retaliated to the sting, or snapped at her, like so many times before. It was puzzling, to say the least.

He'd even lifted his paw so she could work on it..she lowered her head, sorting through the other things he'd done that were so different. He'd said thank you. That one seemed to stand out the most, was like some cat had dipped her head in icy water. No cat had ever really thanked her. It was foreign to her. She lifted her gaze. Did he know how much it meant to hear those words?

I screwed up, laying on that rock.

Callie noted his feeble attempt at humor, a soft smile on her maw. He was cold, shivering, and disgusted with himself. She wondered why.

It's fine, Deadstar. I lay on them all the time. It was just bad luck for you. I wish I hadn't startled you.
her words trailed off as she sat, quiet and sweet for once in her life. She stood, turning and walking off. She was gone for quite a few moments, surely long enough to cause confusion. Then there was a scuffle and a squeak, and a few seconds later Callie emerged with a small woodmouse clamped in her jaws, still twitching. She set it down in front of him.

I don't know if you are hungry, but it'll warm your insides. she meowed, concern radiating from her. That water had been none too warm, and if she didn't get him warmed up, he'd develop a cough. She scooted over to press against his side, hoping to give him a bit of her body heat. She nudged the mouse with her paw. Come on. It'll help.

She didn't know what else to do. There weren't any herbs that would magically warm him. She pressed closer to him, worry radiating from her in waves. She was so confused, too. This tom was the one who had so recently caused her so much trouble, yet here she was sitting next to him.

[Deadstar]

The sympathy in her eyes confused the cat. He had thought she hated him despised his guts, wanted him dead. Wanted to be the one to kill him. But no. She was sorry for him. Another puzzling thought slid into his brain; he'd said thank you. He'd never said that to her before. And from the look on her face, she had never been told it. Well then, he thought, I'll have to change that. Deadstar could be nice when he wished to be.

At his words, she smiled. Hey, at least he could manage some humor. Deadstar was still shivering, his fur dying in spikes. He looked like a hedgehog. He licked his shoulder, trying to flatten the fur down.

'It's fine, Deadstar. I lay on them all the time. It was just bad luck for you. I wish I hadn't startled you.'

His shoulders moved up and down in a shrug. I should have paid better attention; its not your fault. Wow, Deadstar admitting he was the one to blame. Who are you and what have you done with him? Good question. Deadstar looked slightly amused at himself, but it slid away when she rose and walked off. huh? he thought, watching her.

It had never really occured to him just how pretty she really was. The scar on her left side was her only ugly feature. Other than that, she was beautiful. Deadstar shook away these thoughts; he had sworn never to love again, not after he had lost her. A saddness so deep it shook his heart raked over him, like a claw. He missed his love terribly. No other cats knew about her, about his past.

A squeal arroused him. Calie was returning, a small mouse in her mouth. Deadstar felt his belly growl at the scent and he parted his jaws to draw it over his scent glands. He watched as Callie set it down in front of him.

'I don't know if you are hungry, but it'll warm your insides.'

As she curled up next to him, Deadstar fought off the imediate urge to leap away, to avoid the warmth her body brought. In his minds eye he saw himself curling up next to a stunning silver tabby she-cat and snuggling with her before he brought himself back to earth with a bump. 'Come on. It'll help.'

At her urging, he leaned down and took a small bite out of the carcass, savoring the warmth it brought him. Unsure if he was to eat it all or not, he took another bite, keeping an ear on Callie, just in case she wanted some.

[Basil<<]

Callie chuckled as she took in his pelt, which was drying in spikes.

I should have paid better attention; its not your fault.

Callie's eyes widened, and her head swung away from him. She didn't want him to see the confusion, the fear on her face. She heard his stomach growl as he dug into the mouse, and she turned to look at him.

She felt something, a twitch as she settled down next to him, and she snorted. Something deep, deep inside her wanted to stay here, but the rest of her wanted nothing more than to move away from him, this cat which caused so much pain. She curled her tail over her paw and rested her head, the tip of her tail twitching just beyond her chin.

She'd eaten a while ago, and the smell of the mouse was enticing. However, she felt no want to share it with him. It was his. She forced herself to remain still, pain in her heart and confusion befuddling her mind.

All she wanted was to leap away from his side, get away from this uncomfortable situation. She wanted to puzzle over her thoughts, stubbornly wipe away the accusations her mind was throwing around. Her pretty face, unbeknown to her, was fixed in a puzzled, worried mask. She was tense and uncomfortable, sitting this close to him.

Yet her duties as a slave still were there, even though they didn't need to be carried out any longer. It was like a bad habit, caring for him. It was what she had been trained to do. To not do so, she had been taught, was like blasphemy. You just didn't do it. Your master was your biggest problem. If he or she was in pain, then you fixed it. If they were hungry, you fed them. If they needed anything, you fetched it. To not do that any longer..well, it was like not using your paws. It didn't seem right.

She shifted, unwillingly. Her pelt no longer pressed against his, just brushed it. She couldn't bear to be so close to this cat which disliked her, had so many other times looked down on her. Such a cat was not one she wanted to be close to, yet...

She knew, somewhere inside her, she wanted to be near him too. Wanted his approval, his attention. Such things were so hard to admit, even to herself. She hated him, and at the same time she was falling, somehow. Her heavily guarded heart was crumbling for this damp hedgehog spiked sheepish cat who sat next to her, ready to share the mouse she had caught for him in a heartbeat. It was a terrible combination, and she was not sure she liked it.

[Deadstar]

He pushed the mouse away, having no hunger in him at the moment. Deadstar turned his head and licked his other shoulder, trying to force the drying hair to stay down on his skin, not to dry in pikes like it wished to. Scowling, he gave up, deciding he would roll later to make it behave. Whether or not that bright idea would work remained to be seen.

This is wrong. he thought suddenly, the urge to leap away back. I shouldnt be laying here with her. I should have left. Anguish filled his gaze, enough to make anoy other cat start crying. He missed his first and last lover so bad it was like something had bit his heart in half. He missed her fur against his, her soft green eyes, her gentle voice that made his heart melt. He missed her.

He felt Callie move away slightly, so that theur fur only brushed. He felt better when she did that, but it also made his heart hurt. He wanted her to like him, he wanted her to forgive him for all the hatred he had given her, but at the same time, he wanted to go on hating her. Saddness filled his eyes again and he suddenly leapt away.

He stumbled as he landed, but did not go down. Deadstar turned his back on the she cat and walked a few feet away. He could not do this; he could not let her help him anymore. No one can help me. he thought, feeling miserable as he sat there, hunched over. He cut a pathetic figure in the darkness.

((Now would be the perfect time to ask him what was wrong and he could tell about his past and she could tell about hers and yea xD))

[Basil<<]

Callie felt Deadstar move, turn to lick his drying fur. She forced herself not to flinch. She didn't like being this close to him, but her duty to him...well, he was leader, and that was enough. She sighed and licked her paw, dragging it over her head in an attempt to clean behind her ears.

Sudden tenseness radiated from Deadstar, and she rolled her eyes. She didn't much like being this close to him either, but he didn't have to be so..frustrating. She laid her head down, a stubborn frown on her maw. Her green eyes glittered with annoyance and stubborn fear. She didn't know why she was being drawn to him, but she didn't like it; she would fight it.

She glanced up at Deadstar as he turned back to face forward, her sharp green eyes catching the anguish that glittered in his. One ear flicked back as confusion bloomed in her, but she forced it down. She had a feeling she wasn't supposed to see it, that glimpse of emotion, anyways.

There was a sudden rush of air and a chill, and she glanced up. Deadstar was moving away from her. Or, rather, he was leaping away from her like she'd bitten him. She watched him stumble and stop, facing away from her. For some reason this cut her, and she stood, her stubborn temper flaring up, her red and white fur standing up. Her green eyes were blazing.

Fine. I am sorry I deemed myself worthy to be so close to you. she snapped, a sight of beauty even in her anger.

She stopped, taking a deep breath and forcing her anger down. She had remembered the anguish in his eyes. There must've been something else, something he wasn't sharing. Well, it's not like she could be angry at him for that. She had her secrets too. She took a step to him, her fury replaced by compassion, remorse, curiosity even.

I'm sorry. I didn't...I didn't mean that.
She remained a few pawsteps behind him. He had left her side for a reason. She didn't want to crowd him.

Deadstar...
It was gentle, that one word, his name. She almost whispered it.

I want to help you. I can't do that if you won't let me. You tell me what's wrong, and I'll try to fix it, I.....you just have to let me get through.

She was hesitant, gentle, sweet. Her heart thudded. She wanted to hate him, hate him for all the hate he'd shown her, but all she was feeling was hurt for him, compassion for his hunched form.

Something else kept repeating in her head, like a small voice. It kept reminding her of her feelings, accusing her of things that she didn't want to hear.. That maybe, in the slightest possible way...she was falling in love with him. She fought that voice, throwing back her own heart, bound in stone, her guarded heart that had been locked away so long ago. Yet this cat in front of her...he seemed to be wriggling his way under those stone entrapments, hooking his claws in her tender heart.

She didn't want this, yet...she couldn't stop it. She was falling, and she didn't like it, but it was the horrible truth. The realization hit her like a heavy blow, and she sat abruptly, her eyes glistening.

She wanted nothing more than to get away from him, but...she wanted to know why he had left her like that, pushed away from her. That part, that part of her stone-clad heart which was crumbling, wanted to know why he had rejected her. The rest of her was angry, angry at her own foolishness, and she lifted a paw to wipe hastily away those tears which threatened to fall down her face.

[Deadstar]

'Fine. I am sorry I deemed myself worthy to be so close to you.'

The sharp words did not even seem to bother him. Fur that would have normally risen in fury remained flat. Claws that would have slid out to slice flesh open remained sheathed. Some thing was really bothing the black tomcat. He sat still as a statue, saddness coming off of him in waves.

'I'm sorry. I didn't...I didn't mean that.'

He heard her sigh heavily and step closer, but still did not move. Her words fell like raindrops onto his ears, raindrops of poison, seeping into him. The black tom shivered slightly, feeling coldness drip into his fur. Her words were empty to him, dead.

'Deadstar...I want to help you. I can't do that if you won't let me. You tell me what's wrong, and I'll try to fix it, I.....you just have to let me get through.'

Those words rang in his head, echoing until a multitude of the words she voiced rang in his head, driving him wild. The black cat turned around, ears half-way laid against his head, yet half-way up. The cold ice blue eyes glittered, with unknown emotions, mixing around in their depts. Her voice was sweet and kind, and caught the tom's attention. Was she merely playing a game with his mind, or did she actually care for him?

No one can help me, Callie. No one can. he whispered, voice so broken it did not even sound like the same, cold-hearted cat who lead Achrome. But it was. Not since I lost...her. Lips twitched in the ghost of a smile. Her..with her pretty green eyes and her silver tabby fur. Claws flashed out into the ground, ripping into it.

And then...they killed her. They killed her and our kits. Them with their dogs. The fur on his shoulder began to bristle and his lips twisted into a snarl. The real Deadstar, the terror that he was, showed for a moment. Fury flashed in those cold eyes and every muscle in him tensed.

((POSTED))

[Basil<<]

Callie took a step back, her fur bathed in soft moonlight. Deadstar's ears were half back, and his eyes...his eyes were like the day she had met him, cold and unreadable. Her heart cracked and she took a half step back, her paw lifted in midair. Deadstar spoke, and she froze, her eyes wide.

No one can help me, Callie. No one can.

Callie felt her heart shatter into a million pieces, and she stamped her foot down. Her anger subsided after only a second, at the moment she absorbed the broken tone of his voice, and the ghostly look to his icy blue eyes.

Not since I lost...her.

Callie was silent, and she took a step forward, her eyes pained. Her emotions, they flitted around so fast around him. He sounded so sad, so wistful, when he spoke those words..She knew the pain that went into losing a loved one..

She focused on him, the ghost of a smile that played with his dark maw. For a moment, he seemed lost in the past. Her eyes misted foolishly in the midst of his pain. It killed her to see him like this, no matter how much she wished it wasn't so..How much she wished she could walk away right now without caring, laugh at his pain...She only felt the pain in her own broken heart and wanted to erase it from his, comfort him until he let the pain go.

Her..with her pretty green eyes and her silver tabby fur.

A she-cat then, perhaps a mate...she let her eyes flick down to her paws, then back up to him. So he had loved her, then lost her..and she would seem like she was trying to replace this she-cat he loved.
She watched in silence, hurt for his pain clawing it's way through her like the way he clawed the ground.

And then...they killed her. They killed her and our kits. Them with their dogs.

Kits. He'd had a mate, kits once..He'd been in love once..and he'd lost them. Mixed sympathy, realization, and pain muddled her head, and she flattened her ears, looking down. She looked up to see Deadstar, furious as she had ever seen him. She'd seen him angry, but this was Deadstar at his darkest, most formidable. She couldn't stop herself from flinching away, but then rose to her paws.

Do you still love her?
It was quiet, barely loud enough to rise above the light wind.
Callie sat bathed in the moonlight, her soft eyes misty and the soft breeze shifting her fur as she tilted her head to the side, sadness and something unreadable in her eyes. Her tail laid limp beside her, and one ear flicked to the side. She didn't wait for an answer before she spoke again, pain and sadness in her voice.

I can't be there for you...ever...if you can't let me in...I can't hunt down who killed her..I can't bring her back, or your kits. All I can do is love you, Deadstar..

Callie's soft voice echoed in the clearing, and it carried in the breeze as she lifted her eyes to the stars above. She couldn't bear to see the look in his eyes when he scorned her, pushed her away for saying the words she'd just said...

She didn't know how she could get away, away from this tom she loved, that she didn't want to love. This tom who still loved his dead mate, who couldn't forget the past. He didn't love her, she was sure of it.

She knew now why he'd leaped away from her side, why he'd pushed her away. Her already broken heart had lay bleeding at his paws, and his mind had been focused on his dead love. She felt foolish, like a moonstruck kit. She felt hurt. But she knew she had to be here, for him, to help him. Whether or not he loved her, she loved him, and there was no way she could get rid of that feeling, that illness...

She pushed away her own feelings and turned her lovely face to his, her eyes soft but blank. She couldn't let her own heart go above his. She had to help him with his own pain before she could nurse her own.