Shadow of a greater Shadow

[Firestripe]

*Firestripe turned his head at the sound of Scarlet's voice and was saddened at the state she seemed to be in, so confused and even seemingly frightened. He knew the feeling well, the feeling of thinking that what you're seeing in front of you is an illusion because it's the one thing that you have been wanting for so long. He quickly stepped over to where she was curled up in the chair and kneeled beside her, bringing his head level with hers.* "It's me, Scarlet, it's really me." *He said as more tears started form in his eyes. He quickly pushed them away, though, his sense of needing to be strong for Scarlet had already come back in full force.*

"I'm so, so sorry Scarlet..." *He said as he grabbed and held one of her paws between his. He couldn't bring himself to look into her eyes, he felt too ashamed, instead he kept his eyes lowered, as if she was royalty that the common folk were not allowed to look upon because of her greatness and beauty. He lowered his head untill his forehead was touching the paw of the one he loved, he couldn't hardly even bear to look at her now after what he'd put her through. His shoulders shook slightly as he vainly tried to keep himself together. Even so, a few tears forced their way out, some hitting Scarlet's paw and the others falling silently to the floor.*[/color]

[Scarlet]

The memories from the night before came flooding back in an assault to Scarlet's mind. She suddenly remembered every detail; Firestripe's fearful expression as he crawled away from Scarlet. The hot tears that fell to the dirty floors of the tavern as Scarlet tried to reassure Firestripe that she was real. And now, it would seem that the roles have been reversed. As Firestripe begahn to apologize again, Scarlet grasped his paws firmly in hers.

"Shhh, it's okay, don't cry, please." Scarlet couldn't bear to see Firestripe cry again, to feel the sorrow and pain that seemed to pulse through his entire, emaciated frame. Letting go of one of Firestripe's paws, she lifted his chin until her eyes met his. She didn't know what to think, only that Firestripe was back, and that she should be happy. Just one thing she needed to know, but that could wait until later; Now, she was just happy to be with Firestripe again, something of which she had so often before dreamt.

" It's going to be alright." She said, softly, in an attempt to stop any further tears, even though her own eyes were once again growing bleary with her own salty tears of happiness. The memories of last night's dreams kept flickering to the fore-front of her mind, but she pushed them back. No, I won't think on that again. I nee' ta be strong fer Firestripe, no matter what. She decided, and thought only of how much she loved Firestripe at this moment.

One paw still under Firestripe's chin, the other paw grasped firmly to Firestripe's, she lost herself in those beautiful, red eyes that she had so dearly missed before.

[Firestripe]

*Firestripe could hardly bear to look into Scarlet's sweet, tear filled eyes as she lifted his chin up. "It's going to be alright." She said... How is it going to be alright? How can she ever fully trust me again after this? He thought to himself then decided not to keep it to himself as it pressed at his mind and heart. He wanted her to trust him, to believe that he would never go away again, but how could she? How could the level of trust that they had before ever be gained again? He didn't know...*

"How is it going to be alright?" *Firestripe asked in a strained voice and stood, breaking eye contact with Scarlet yet again.* "How can you ever trust me again after what happened? I abandoned you because I was too pathetic and weak, I am too pathetic and weak... I gave up..." *His voice trailed off as he started to lose control of his emotions* "How is it going to be alright?" *Anger started to creep its way into Firestripe's voice, anger at himself for having given up on her. Tears had started streaming down his face again, sobs broke through in his speaking.* "How... how is it going to be alright?" *He sat down hard on the floor and drove his fist into the wood in his anger.* "How is it going to... to be alright? How... how..." *He couldn't even finish the sentence through his grief.*[/color]

[Scarlet]

Scarlet didn't know what to say at first. Was this really what Firestripe had been turned into? A creature who was so broken, yet sure that what she believed to possible was impossible? That they could never again have the same trust that they had before? Scarlet couldn't bear to think of going back to living without Firestripe, without that trust and love that they shared. She was confident that things could go back to normal; Maybe not for awhile, but things would go back to normal. She would try her hardest to make it so.

With one fluid motion, Scarlet was out of her chair and at Firestripe's side again, putting an arm around his shaking shoulders. She watched as he cried, the hot, salty tears falling to the floor and leaving little wet spots in the dust that was settled there. She couldn't think of anything to do. He didn't believe that she wanted him- no, needed him- back. What could she do to make him believe so?

" It is going to be alright, Firestripe. I love you." She said, moving in front of Firestripe and lifting his face with both paws so that thier eyes met. " I love you." She said again, softly. Then, as if to prove her point further, she kissed him, holding it for just a moment before pulling away.

[Firestripe]

*Suddenly Firestripe was himself again. That simple act of being kissed by the one he loved brought Firestripe out of truly his darkest moments. The tears that had been flowing down his face halted so suddenly that it seemed like somebeast had just turned off the waterworks. His gaze focused on Scarlet, his eyes regaining their sharp, determined edge that they had always had. He stared deeply into Scarlet's eyes and he knew. He knew that she would always be there for him, loving him and staying by his side, as he would her. She was so beautiful, he could hardly comprehend how she could love him, but she did and that's all that mattered to him now.*

*He hugged her tightly to himself and whispered in her ear.* "I love you so much. I am never going to leave you again, I will always be by your side. No matter what, I will never betray your trust again; you are my heart and my soul and I will protect you and love you forever. I promise." *He made these promises as much to himself as he did to her. He knew that she would always be that which kept him going, no matter what happened he would stay strong for her so that she would never have to go through anything like this ever again.*[/color]

[Scarlet]

Scarlet buried her face in Firestripe's matted and dirtied fur, not caring that by doing so she was getting herself dirty. Thank God that worked... She thought, and embraced Firestripe all the more, arms wrapped around his neck, content to sit there for the rest of eternity. As he whispered the promises in her ear, Scarlet couldn't help but let out a sigh of happiness. This is me old Firestripe. She thought, thinking back upon what he used to be like.

Head still buried near the hollow of Firestripe's neck, Scarlet felt peaceful, something that she had not felt for so long. " I love you, I love you, I love you..." Scarlet murmered over and over again, her voice a bit muffled. Finally, she pulled her head away from Firestripe's chest, just to once more look into his beautiful eyes, in which she could see his love for her, penetrating her very soul.

Also in those eyes, Scarlet could see a hunger for food. It was no surprise, for the poor creature was rail thin and gaunt faced. Worry flashed across Scarlet's expressions. " You need to eat." She said simply, glancing down at the ribs that were showing through the baggy and torn once-red tunic. " Stay here." She said, for she was sure that Firestripe did not want anybeast to see him as he was; Weak and ragged. " I'll go get you food." She held one of his paws for a moment, gazing into his eyes, then jumped to her feet and dashed for the door.

The crew were still sleeping, enjoying a few extra minutes of shuteye before starting back to enjoying the town. The guards on duty were dozing, and for the first time, Scarlet didn't go and kick them awake again. She passed them, their snores fading as she made her way to the kitchens. Walking through the door, she spied the head-cook, who was also dozing off. " Hey, I need some pheasant, alot of it, and some pheasant eggs as well.... oh, and some bread and cheese on the side, lots of it!" She ordered, rousing the cook from his nap.

Within minutes, the food was hot and ready, placed carefully on the fine white china that Scarlet usually dines off of. Without a thanks, and with many curious looks from the cook, Scarlet balanced the plates on her arms, something which proved rather difficult, but not impossible. With that, she walked carefully through the door, past the sleeping guards and back to her cabin, where she proceeded to set the food on the table.

[Firestripe]

*Firestripe eyed the food that Scarlet had brought in in a most hungry matter. Even so, though, his old gentlebeastl-ish ways kicked in and he helped her put some of the plates on the table and afterwards pulled out her chair for her to be seated first and then sad down himself. He looked across the table at her and almost lost himself in her eyes again. That is, until the smell of the food dragged him back out and forced him to realize how hungry he really was. He looked down at himself, he was barely more than skin and bones. His tunic which had fit him just right now hung on his shoulders baggy and torn and he could see the outline of his ribs underneath his fur. He really had let himself waste away to almost nothing. His stomach growled loudly and caused him to smile ever so slightly.* "I guess I am hungry, thanks for bring this to me." *He said started digging in. The food was amazing, the best he had ever tasted. He knew he merely thought this because he was so hungry but it nonetheless tasted wonderful. He looked over at Scarlet, who as of yet hadn't touched any food.* "Aren't you going to eat anything?" *He asked, he didn't want her to not eat just for his sake.*[/color]

[Scarlet]

Scarlet smiled. The gentle-beast in Firestripe peeked out from it's hiding unexpectedly, and even though Scarlet felt it was a bit unessacery, she obliged. Firestripe wanted things to go back to normal, so she supposed that that started now. Sitting down in the chair that Firestripe had pulled out for her after helping her with the food, she watched Firestripe dig in with a satisfied smile upon her lips. He truly needed to get food into his body, and it pleased Scarlet to see him eating so heartily.

"Aren't you going to eat anything?" At Firestripe's words, Scarlet merely shook her head. She truly wasn't hungry. " I'd rather not, and besides, you need as much food as you can get in you." She smiled at him. With all that had happened Scarlet didn't want food. Besides, she was not nearly starved to death, as Firestripe was.

All Scarlet could think of was how lucky she was to have found him in that tavern last night, Some internal instinct had prompted her to come to Loamsdown and to go to that tavern, and for that she was thankful. Elbows on the table, she rested her head between her paws, and looked at Firestripe. She tried to imagine him as he was; Strong, healthy and well kept. She would make sure he bought some new clothes soon, that was for sure; The ragged and dirty things he wore now barely passed for clothing.

[Firestripe]

*Firestripe just shrugged at Scarlet's answer to his question and kept on eating. He knew that telling her to eat would be pointless because she wouldn't do it. She wanted him to eat as much as possible so he could get his strength back up and go back to being what he used to be. He wanted that as well but he still couldn't help but care as to whether Scarlet fed herself or not, even if it was for his sake. As he continued eating he noticed Scarlet staring at him.* "What?" *He asked, giving her a questioning look, he definitely wasn't anything to be stared at at the moment, not quite a sight for sore eyes but absolutely a sight to make them sorer.*

*Before Scarlet could answer there was a knock at the cabin door and a voice called.* "Cap'n? There's somth'n out 'ere ye should see, m'am" *Firestripe didn't recognize the voice, he wasn't surprised though, there were bound to be a few new beast on the ship after he had been gone so long. He glanced at the door and then at Scarlet, that questioning look once again upon his face. The crew didn't know he was here and he was loath to make an appearance the way he was now. He at least wanted to clean up first, get some fresh clothes and eat some more to get his energy up. It didn't seem that was going to happen just yet, though...*[/color]

[Scarlet]

Startled, Scarlet leapt up from the table. Blushing as she realized it was just a crewmember that needed her to see something important. What could that be? What's so important that they nee' to startle me so? Scarlet wondered to herself. She glanced over at Firestripe, who, in his current state, should not and does not want to be seen. She was loathe to start her duties as Captain so early in the morning, especially while she had just been enjoying having Firestripe back again. He meant more to her than any thing, but for right now, she would have to leave him, and the thought sadened her.

"I'll go, Firestripe; You stay here and out of sight, and I'll be back soon." She promised, looking him in the eyes. She leaned over and gave Firestripe a kiss on his filthy cheek, and with one last look over her shoulders, stepped out of the cabin, leaving Firestripe to himself. She came face to face with a yellow-toothed wild-cat, whose dull brown eyes spoke of little or no intelligence.

" What is it?" Scarlet commands. " What is it you want me to see?". Then she noticed the ferret boy standing behind the wild-cat. Wot's this then? Poor street urchin wantin' a job, I'll wager. I thought I bloody well told 'im off... Ah, 'e looks so pitiful... Maybe... Scarlet's thoughts headed to a kinder side of her that rarely showed itself to anybeast besides Firestripe.

" What do you want?" She asked, speaking directly to the young ferret. She remembered how thoughtfully he had kept a thief from making off with Firestripe's coins. Perhaps he's not so bad as Scarlet thought. Or perhaps he's just coming to demand some form of payment for his seemingly kind act. Whatever it was, Scarlet felt in her heart that she would have pity on the poor creature.