A Shadowed Past

[Fire]

He took a slight breath in through his nose and indeed, it did smell fersh and clean. Even though there were clouds over their heads, he could see that there was potential for it to be beautiful once again. The rain actually did feel nice as one drop trickled down the side of his head, giving his mane a slight shake.

When he saw that Amaiza was embarassed from her talk, he just smiled away and then even flickered his own tail across and gently bumping it while hers was swishing towards him, chuckling and then nudging his head up against her own with a soft bumping motion. "It's cool to like something that no one else likes."

[Deleted]

Amaiza was peeking looks at Fire as he talked I wonder if he knows his red mane sort of glows with the water on it , smiling even more at her thoughts she stuck out her tongue, not caring what would be said.

"well go on try it Fire, then I won't be the only one that likes something all by myself.....go on stick out your tongue..."

"I DARE YOU " laughing she watched him, as they kept on walking. She moved herself away a bit as her tail seemed to keep on wanting to curl around his. come on rain, I need more not just little drips, I want to be soaked

[Fire]

"All right, all right... I'll do it." He says with another chuckle as he stuck out his tounge, feeling a little silly but at least he was doing it. He had a funny look on his tounge as he pulled it away, tilting his head and shuddering a little.

"It tickles!.." He said with a laugh and then looked over to Amaiza with a smile, noticing that she looked kind of cute with the way that her hair covered over her eyes slightly from it being wet. And then.... the rain started coming.. Not lightly, but the thunder boomed in the distance, the droplets thickening through the air and he glanced over to Amaiza. "Well,you wanted it to rain!.. Here's your storm!" He particularly didn't like it when it rained because of how heavy his mane got.

[Deleted]

Hearing the thunder echoing around made Amaiza give a little jump, but as the rain came on down her smile grew even broader. "yes, this is how I like it".

Amaiza stopped and moved to the side allowing Cheabosa who was lookng slightly worried and also Sereana with her cub to pass. " Catch up to Zander and Meri and they will take to to shelter, I'll be along soon...hurry now."

Tilting her head to one side, watching to see them move ahead, the grey lioness, shook her head to get the water out of her eyes, then stood there silently with her face raised again to the gray sky, letting the rain just fall upon her and run down her body then onwards to the ground.

Moving slowly foward with her eyes partly closed, she raised her head up and opened her mouth, swallowing down the water and then licked around her mouth with her pink tongue. Letting a sigh of pleasure escape, she was about to break into a run when she saw not everyone had carried on down the trail.

[genie]

Cheabosa was looking more concerned when there was a great crack of thunder and rain started pouring down as he walked along, he was looking about, this wasn't good he knew, they were in a pass that was pretty much somewhere water could flow, he shook his fur sending water drops splashing towards any that were near.

His eyes suddenly diverted to a small trickle of water in the path flowing down towards them, and in the next moment there was another clap of thunder and lightning streaked magnificently across the sky in a jaggered splintered flash.

[Sarafina]

Sereana walked normaly in the rain. Nadayshana liked it. She continued to sleep on her back. Sereana watched everyone talk and everything. She just slowly took her time. She wasnt in a rush...what was there to be in a rush for? Nothing. Exactly.

She shook her head as some water got into her eye. She smiled softly and looked around once more. She looked over at Nadayshana who looked like a drowned rat. She looked cute though. He tongue ran gently over her head. She smiled again and looked forward. She watched where she was and sighed once more. She needed to figure things out in her life.

[Fire]

Fire had been very close to Amaiza, so there was no problem in him catching up. However, when he looked back and saw the mother/child duo, they were lagging behind a bit. He turned around and then started walking over to them, standing behind Serena and nudging his nose at her rump to push her forward a bit in almost a playful way, chuckling as he did this and then walking up right beside Serena. "Everyone's waitin' for yah.. I need some shelter cause my mane is getting 'quite' heavy.." He says with a smile and then looks down to Nadayshana, smirking and then laughing as he saw how her fur did indeed make her look like a drowned rat.

[genie]

Cheabosa continued on increasingly worried about the area they were walking in, it was raining hard now and his fur hug down dripping, short as it was, he looked like a drowned rat as they moved on, the trickle of water flowing by them had increased.

[Sarafina]

Sereana looked over at Fire and smiled softly. "Im following you." she said softly. She yawned slightly and then looked into the rain. It was getting harder, and the clouds covered the sky. It was once nice and clear, now it looked as though a hurricane was coming.

Sereana looked over as she felt movement on her back. She smiled as Nady woke up. She then watched as she shook her body and smiled at Fire. Nady stood up and jumped onto Fires back. Sereana smiled softly and watched her snuggled into his drenched mane. She had a feeling that Nady was really attached to Fire, She didnt know if that was a good or bad thing.

````````````````````
Nady woke up and yawned, Her fur was soaked and she could hardly move. She got enough strength to jump onto Fires back. She got under his mane trying to stay away from the falling water. The water in his mane was actualy comforting.

[Deleted]

Standing back while the rain continued falling down harder, Amaiza saw that the trickle was indeed flowing more deeper and faster down the trail the others were walking ahead on. Still she stood there while the rain fell down over her body covering her dark grey fur and pooling around her paws.

Taking a few steps forward she saw Fire urge Sereana forward and Nady move over onto and under his mane. mmm looks like they are becoming quite the little family... come on hurry up and move faster.

Finally when she couldn't see any of them at all, a smile broke out over her face. Digging her claws into the drenched ground fast becoming mud, she got traction and launched herself forward.

Running as fast as she could, the feel of the cold wet rain splashing against her face and body urged her on. She didn't care that mud and leaves were flying up covering her legs and back , the feeling was one she didn't get too often. Her brown hair tuft was flattened down on her head and you could see the black raindrop she had as a birthmark that came up her neck, standing out for all to see.

On she ran, not really seeing much ahead of her as the water was blurring her vision, when suddenly she ran into something or someone. Amaiza'a eyes widened in surprise and shen tried to stop herself before she actually ran right over top of them.

[Kirsui]

((OOC: With the permission from This Land, I'm temporarily taking over both Zander and his father. I'm looking for someone to take over one of said characters, preferably Zander, but you would have to be ready to lead on the story if you would take him. However, I can help with leading on the RP's story line, so that you do not have to do it all alone. =3 ))


Zander smiled reassuringly at Meri when she replied to him. He lifted an eyebrow momentarily when she turned her head forward again, as if she was trying to hide something from him. He forgot about this, however, as he too looked forward and saw exactly what he was hoping to see.

A cave entrance. He thanked their luck, for the rain was getting heavier at every moment.
"Come on, everyone!" he told to the others with a grin.
"There's a cave right there!"
With this said he walked as fast towards the shelter as he could with all the wounds he had from the short battle with his father.

---

Meri narrowed her eyes when Zander told about the cave. It took a while before she saw what he saw, but when she did she smiled widely. Finally they'd get some rest...

Then her eyes widened as something hit her from behind. The impact was so powerful that it sent her down to the ground. Meri blinked her eyes momentarily, only to see a dark grey leg right next to her head.

This was when she laughed. She couldn't help it, but it was just so amusing how Amaiza had managed to run right into her of all people - her, a white lioness. And she hadn't laughed like this since she had been a small cub, and her amused laughter didn't seem to have an end.

Meri gasped for air as she calmed down slightly.
"A-a-Amaiza...?!"
She shook her head and tried to look up at the other lioness.
"Do.. do tell how... *gasp* ...how you could run right... *gasp* ...over me?"

[Deleted]

Amaiza tried to put the brakes on as she realised she had hit Meri, oh no out of all of them why did I have to run her over, Zanders going to get cross with me now for not watching where I was going

Finally sliding to a halt, she lowered her head and looked back between her legs to see the white lioness standing there, except she wasn't exactly white anymore, she was sort of brown flecked you could say, with extra colour all down her front. Looking at Meri from upside down was making Amaiza slightly dizzy. Straightening up she turned and looked at her.

"Oh Meri I'm so sorry, I really didn't see you there, I thought you were all so far ahead of me.... are you hurt "

Rushing forward to try and help Meri off the ground, Amaiza lost her footing when a gush of water came flowing through and she ended up falling in the mud sending another wave of dirty coloured water all over the lioness. Bringing her head up off the ground, she slowly glanced at Meri waiting to be growled at only to find her laughing hard. Amaiza felt her own mouth twitch in answer and then she was joining in as well. what a sight we must be to anyone watching ran through the grey lioness mind.

Realising she still owed meri an explanation she decided to just tell the truth. " I ran into you Meri because I didn't see you.....well.....because I had my eyes closed, It's really the best way to run in the rain you know ". Amaiza trailed off and gazed at Meri.

[Fire]

Fire felt a little shift in weigh on his back as the little cub climbed up onto his back, chuckling softly as the cub was trying to get warm by cuddling into his warm fur.. which was somewhat redundant, but.. meh.

A smile burst onto his face when he watched Amaiza and Meri clash together, letting out a snort at an attempt to hold himself back from laughing as he approached the two with Sereana alongside him. "Hmmm.. So I didn't know you ladies were into mud baths." He chuckles softly after he says this and has a big smirk on his face from looking down at them.

[Kirsui]

Zander heard noice from behind himself and as he turned to look he realized Meri wasn't walking with him anymore. In fact, the white lioness was under Amaiza. He stopped, watching with amusement how Amaiza got off of Meri and tried to help her up, only ending up back on the ground. What was interesting in the whole situation was the fact that Meri was laughing, really laughing. Zander hadn't heard her laugh like that at all during the time she had spent with their little group, and he doubted anyone had in a very long time.

Zander shook his head, still amused and continued his way towards the cave. Others would reach him fast enough... He wasn't walking all that fast because of his injuries after all.

---

Meri laughed, unable to control herself when more mud was sent flying right on her. To make it worse, she literally rolled on the ground, messing herself even more. She was more grey than white now, and she didn't care.

"Hmmm.. So I didn't know you ladies were into mud baths."

Fire's comment knocked some sense back on her and she managed to gain control of her laughter again. She glanced up at Fire before she stood up and smiled at Amaiza.
"It's ok, Amaiza", she said.
"By no means am I mad at you because of enjoying the rain and making me all muddy..."
She grinned, smirking when she examined Amaiza. She had to be about as muddy as Meri herself was.
"My only problem - and seems to be yours too - is how I'm going to get this thing out of my fur!"

She shook her head and tried to control another flow of giggles as she turned to follow Zander to the cave. The rain helped a little with getting the mud off, but the white lioness just knew it wouldn't be enough. Unless it became heavier than it all ready was. And by the looks of it, the rain was going to get a whole lot stronger. Maybe it would become a thunder storm...

She shivered, hoping that wouldn't happen. She wasn't exactly afraid of thunder, but the loud cracks the lightnings made wasn't exactly on the top of her favourite noices list.

[Deleted]

Amaiza looked around realising she suddenly had an audience, blushing slightly she turned to Fire looking at the smirk on his face. thinks he's being funny aye

Moving her paw slowly, the grey lioness scooped up and handful of runny mud and threw it in the direction of Fire's face. Seeing it hit him right on his nose and splattering, she burst out laughing

"I guess something was flying above and couldn't help it self, seeing all that red mane"

"Now if you will all excuse me I need to go stand in the rain and clean off a bit, but they do say mud baths are good for a girls skin". Giving Fire another smirk, she made to move past him but couldn't help her self and leaned in to him " that will teach you to laugh, hope you enjoyed it'.

Moving off Amaiza found a small patch of grass that hadn't been swallowed up by the dirt, and stood there with her face raised to the sky again, letting herself be washed clean, while waiting for the others to pass and catch up to Cheabosa, Meri and Zander.

[Fire]

Fire turned his head to face Amaiza when all of a sudden, a great thick ball of mud came splattering onto his face. He sputtered heavily and shook his head to get rid of most of the mud on his face, smirking over to Amaiza when she had said those words to him. He turned his body once again to follow Amaiza behind her and then noticed quite a big puddle nearby, it being just deep enough for him to stick his head under and blow bubbles into it, washing off the mud and then sticking his head back up to sit beside Amaiza.

[Deleted]

Standing there feeling the rain run down her face and body, was indeed calming to Amaiza. Shaking herself one more time, she reopened her eyes to see Fire still there.

A grin covered her muzzle when she saw him push his head down under the water and little bubbles start to float to the top. Waiting till he emerged again Amaiza couldn't help herself, all this rain had put her into a happier than normal mood.

"you know Fire, it would have worked heaps better if you had of kept your head under longer, you know"

Breaking out into a laugh at last, as more drips clung to her lashes, she shook her head. Nodding at Sereana who stood quietly to the side, Amaiza spoke to Fire softly.

"Don't you think you should get your family into the dry and warmth of the cave ahead where Zander and cheabosa are waiting, especially the little one."

Amaiza stood there staring at the red maned lion, waiting for him to move off, just as another lightening rod hit the ground further ahead, making the sky light up with a flash.

[genie]

Cheabosa stood looking about the sky was worsening, thick dark bellowing storm clouds and a wind was starting to get up causing the rain to spit hard against him like acupuncture, this weather was worsening by the moment and he shouted back to the others "Get in the cover!". Still saying that... he was't sure they should be stopping either, if they stream of water flash flooded they would't have much chance, he had seen one just once before... vicious and nasty and faster than even him, it had been a terrible sight.

[Sarafina]

Sereana watched Fire and Nadayshana. She looked in the sky and back at Fire. "Fire...why dopnt we follow the others in the cave..." she said softly. She turned and walked slowly towards the ave. Once in there, she turned and watched Nadayshana. She was hidden under his mane. You couldnt even see her.
it was so cute.

[Deleted]

Not even afraid or making her jump, Amaiza watched the lightening arcing around in the sky, and feeling the ground tremble slightly as thunder joined in.

Shaking her head once again to clear the rain from her face, she moved forward following Fire and Sereana, heading towards the cave, where the others already lay sheltering. Looking back over her shoulder, she saw the rain turning into a muddy torent racing down the path where they now walked. Amaiza had been to wrapped up in enjoying her self she didn't realise how dangerous the situation could now become.

Seeing the entrance in front of them, she moved her paws faster, being the last one to come in from the storm. Stopping as close to the opening as possible she gave herself a shake hoping to spare any of her friends another covering of water.

Moving away and over to the other side of the cave, Amaiza found a dry spot, but where she could still see the storm outside. Lowering herself down, she rested her head on her front paws, and just stared out.

[Kirsui]

Meri walked slowly in the rain, letting the falling water clean her fur from the mud. She walked her eyes half closed, her head tilted slightly upwards so that the water would wash her face too. She was aware of the rain turning heavier, aware of the sounds of thunder, but she still seemed to be in no hurry to the shelter.

That is until she saw the sky light up all white as a lightning struck and heard an especially loud sound of thunder.

She basically jumped on air and ran to the cave after that, stopping only when she was sure she was safe. She panted slightly, glancing around like a scared little cub. She calmed down when she saw Zander lay in one of the corners of this cave, and saw how the other group members came in. Sitting down, still trying to recover from the sudden run to shelter, Meri wrung the extra water out of her hair.

---

Zander had laid down inside the cave to wait for others to reach shelter. He nodded slightly at Amaiza when she came in, focusing then to stare out at the rain. They needed some rest, and they might as well use this time in this cave to do exactly that. He could feel his father was still keeping an eye on them. He growled in frustration. He just didn't know when his father would strike next...

Zander snapped out of his throughts when Meri suddenly rushed in after another lightning had struck somewhere. She seemed scared, but calmed down after a while. He smiled faintly at her and placed his head on his paws, returning to gaze outside to the rain.

[Deleted]

Amaiza lay there, she didn't feel tired at all, the rain had invigorated her like always.

Looking around to where the others were laying around the cave, she wondered if any of them needed anything.

Pushing her self up she moved first over to Zander "Is there anything I can get you, to make you feel more comfortable? You know I don't mind being in the rain "

Standing there she looked to Meri "And you , is there something I can do for you ?"

Just as she finished speaking, another loud crack of thunder echoed around the cave, even making Amaiza jump slightly.

[genie]

Cheabosa looked alert at the sound of thunder, his ears twitching back and forth, he stood on his feet clenching his muscles, he did't like this, something felt wrong, every hair of his being stood on end, he started pacing in a small circle as more thunder echoed through the cave. The turential downfall of rain continued its relentless hamming of the ground outside the cave and dripping of water from the ceiling as some rain made its way through the cracked ceiling of the cave.

10 minutes pasted with freaky lighting cascading across the sky like a dancing light show reaching across the heavens to entertain the sleeping earth spirit if she dared wake then suddenly Cheabosa frooze in his steps. Amidst the thundering pour of the rain and the thunder and lighting, a new sound suddenly reached his ears, one he knew to well, a sound that reached down to the pits of his soul in horror.

Horror etched on his cat face as any that might be possible to be seen, his eyes wide open he survey the others, they did't seem to be moving, possibly they did't know the danger. The danger of a unstoppable winding furious snake of water as it rumbled and crashed closer to them in urgency Cheabosa shouted out "Get out! Get to high ground!" and he started forwards towards the cave mouth.

[Sarafina]

Sereana heard bir wings flapping furiously. She looked out to see watering coming right into the cave. She grabbed Nadayshana by the scruff and waited for the impact against the far wall. When the water hit, she swam. She got out of the cave and to a rock.

She stood up and put Nadayshana down. The rock was wet and her paws were slipping. She held on long enough and grabbed Nadayshana by the scruff. "I love you...." she whispered right before and through her into a clearing high up. He foot sliped and she plmbed right into the water. SHe tried her best to grasp something, but she couldnt.

Even though yu couldnt tell, Sereana was crying. Tear streamed down her face whenshe came above the water for a quick gasp. She would have called for help, but she knew the others were in danger. She would just die peacefullly.

```````````````````

Nadayshana stood in the clearing crying in histerics. "MOTHER!!! MOTHER NO!!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. If no one survived this, she wasnt going to know what to do. "HELP! PLEASE....MOTHER!!!" she yelled again. Her mother needed help. She ran at the edge looking for someone.

"Zander?! Cheobasa!? SOMEONE!!!" she said slumping to the ground. "Help..." came from her muzzle. She layed there watching her mother slowly die. She looked around and found a rock.She stod on top and looked for someone. "Anybody?! SOmeone?!" she yelled again.. SHe knew her life would soon end if she couldnt find someone to watch her. Her life would end just as fast as it came.....

[Deleted]

(OOC - My last post is for Amaiza and Fire )

Standing there looking at Meri and Zander, Amaiza didn't have time to react. As her head swung back around almost in slow motion, her eyes travelled past Fire and Cheabosa watching as they headed to the entrance.

Blinking slowly she just stood there as the first wave of water slammed into her body washing her off her feet and throwing her back against the wall of the cave. Feeling the sharpness of the rock cut through her fur and into her skin, bought a sharp grunt from her muzzle. Stunned for a moment, then gathering her wits around her, Amaiza started to paddle past debris that had flooded into the cave along with all the water.

Trying to keep calm as she knew she had the one advantage that the others didn't have, she loved swimming in water and used to practise when she was by herself, how long she could hold her breath while she was under.

Feeling guilty she hadn't stopped and looked for Meri or Zander, now was the time for each of them to try and save themselves. Reaching the entrance she found it blocked by fallen trunks, only one thing for it now taking a quick breath she dove under the water and out of the cave, resurfacing again, realising she was also shaking from the cold and shock.

Trying to shake the water from her eyes so she could see properly, the raging torrent carried her on. Looking around wildly, she couldn't see Cheabosa, or Sarafina. Striking out with her paws Amaiza tried to find solid ground, but the strength of the raging water was just still too strong.

Finding herself being sucked under again, she calmed her body and didn't struggle, just holding on, then kicked her way back to the top. Gasping she saw a flash of red in the water " FIRE...FIRE"
Determination took hold of her and she used all her strength to push herself towards him

Please God let me reach him, please don't let my friend die, let him live, I'll take his place, just let him be alright Screaming out as loud as she could without swallowing any of the putrid water Amaiza tried again as she got closer, "FIRE...ANSWER ME"

Reaching him she saw his head wasn't submerged at all, but floating face up. A large open wound lay raw and ragged down one side of his face. His body was trapped between some boulders, wedging him in tightly, holding him safe for the moment. Hearing a roar Amaiza looked ovr her shoulder and saw another fury of water coming at them. Wrapping her arms and legs around Fires protruding body, to anchor him more, the lioness held her breath one more time and pushed her face under the water and into Fires mane, pressing his whole face upwards so he could still breath in the air that his limp body needed so desperately.

Feeling the wave pass over and carry on, Amaiza broke through taking in air. With her face laying against Fires, a sob escaped her lips. "Fire, please don't leave me, fight and come back to me....please"
Letting her tears mingle with rain, she gently started to lick his face while whispering his name. "Fire".

As Amaiza reached and licked his nose ,she gasped as one eye slowly opened holding her gaze. Bursting into tears she bought one paw up and stroked his face. "You didn't want to leave me afterall ?"
Not being able to unwrap herself from around him, she needed the lions help, as she wasn't going to leave him, if he couldn't get free, she was staying with him, her mind was made up.

"Fire, we have to push and pull together, I'm not leaving you here, so please help me, I don't know where the others are, I don't even know if they are alive, its just you and me.I can't let go of you in case I'm washed away. Your arm is caught in that crevice, when i bring my paw as far down as I can, I'm going to grip and we need to pull together.... PLease help me... Watching as he nodded she felt his other paw wrap around her waist. "One, two, three......OK PULL HARD NOW"

They both fell backwards still wrapped around each other, watching as Fire brought up his paw with blood dripping onto the water and flesh shredding away, Amaiza pulled her gaze away, as she heard another roar echoing behind them, then turned back to face her friend. With a smile on her muzzle she held onto his body even firmer, her claws digging into his skin. as she felt his returning hug.

Looking deep into his eyes, she kept on smiling "Just remember you and me jumping in puddles before having fun, and know we will again... Promise me that we will do that again Fire...PROMISE."

Bringing her face close to Fire's she softly kissed him then placed her cheek against his as the wave hit them and carried them away, both tightly holding each other, remembering the promise they had both whispered to each other. A friends promise that would not be broken.

[genie]

The water had reach the cave before anyone had got out, a white rippling angry surge, as it entered the cave with un-squashed fury and angry intent on hurting and smashing all in its path, more deadly than a large herd of rampaging elephants, it would be merciful on no one.

The force hit Cheabosa like a brick wall, sending him flying back with it and a moment later, a unheard splintering crunch came from his left hind leg as it took the impact on the wall. His frail body perhaps less capable than the others of taking impact damage, pain surged through his body making him alert in his mind as he struggled swimming towards the cave mouth.

The initial mouth of the angry water serpent had moved past them now and it was no so bad in the flooded cave as the fast moving water flowed by but still there was nowhere to go and drowning was a certainty if the cave wasn't left soon.

Reaching the cave mouth he saw only a small quivering body on the rocks on the far side, for a brief second he thought of Shana but there was no one else in sight, whether it was or not he would not know and any noises coming from the cubs mouth were deafened by the roaring off the water as it thundered along. Having reached the mouth he was rapidly pushed down stream and he scarcely had time to catch some nearby rocks with his claws and managed to scramble onto them.

Looking down his side he could see his limp, water drenched etched with blood hind leg, it was damaged beyond repair and was totally useless to him now, he breathed hard and cough up water, the pain still searing through him.

He looked about in his hazed like vision, he still did't see anyone except the small body of Shana slightly upstream from him, perhaps no one else had made it and guilt etched it way into his pain filled mind, this was his fault. He had known what could happen... he had seen it before still he had not tried to stop anyone, he had not spoken up and then even when the great sky spirits had voiced their anger he had not said to get to high ground. Yes it was all his doing, he had just thought of getting away from the rain, he had not thought, he wish he could redo it all again, he would speak out... persuade them off the danger and tears flowed down his face.

Suddenly he caught sight in the corner of his eye a bit of drift wood flowing fast down with a damp body clung to it, something else a victim of this flood and a great surge went through him, no more he decided, there would be no more. Despite the pain in his own body he leaped off the rock and landed back in the water nearby the wood as it was passing and swimming hard as he could he caught hold of the scruff of the cubs neck, it was another cheetah like him, it seemed ironic to him like history was taunting him.

Continuing swimming as he desperately struggled in the fury of the water he managed to reached the other side with the cub, scrabbling with his front claws to drag himself forward, half out of the water, there was not enough room to get any further out with the cub there too. Kindly he nudged the cub and it opened it eyes coughing and shivering speaking to it he said "Go over there, there is another cub" meaning back up the river to where Shana was and shakily the cub moved over the rocks in the way it had been directed.

Cheabosa was by this time feeling very weak he was trying to use his working back leg to get grip and push himself forward out of the water when suddenly a scream from the cub reached him but to late, more drift wood had come down the water rapids. It smashed into him sending him flying from the rocks, surprised etched on his face and he hit the water going under briefly coming up choking, he never saw a second peice of wood as it smashed into his head. Blood mixed with water but was rapidly washed away as Cheabosa submerged again and darkness came to him, he was going to sleep and there was no pain, no pain at all....

The water carried his body on, swishing it around and around in its victorious grip, none would ever see him alive again.

[Kirsui]

((OOC: My ending for Meri, Zander and Zander's father.... LONG POST AHEAD! xD))


Zander's ears perked up at the thundering noise as the water flooded inside. He could hear Cheabosa tell them to get out, he saw Sereana dash towards the cave entrance with Nadayshana... And he saw Meri, standing there in a paralyzed state as she watched the water flood in. She didn't seem to be able to move at all, and the look of pure horror that was on her face made Zander's blood run cold.

"MERI!"

He dashed towards the white lioness right when the first waves of water hit his paws. He knew he shouldn't have ran like this, he could feel a slight headache coming up... But he had to run, in order to stay alive or at least to save Meri.

The white lioness didn't seem to hear him, not even when he was standing next to her.
"Meri, run! RUN!"
She snapped out of her paralysis, turning to look at Zander in panic. He smiled at her and nudged her shoulder to make her move.
"Go..." he said. The water reached halfway of his feet already and the pull of the water was strong.
"GO!"

Meri finally seemed to realize what she was being told to do and dashed towards the cave entrance. Zander followed closely. He saw how she was out, how she was now swimming as the water was too high to run in...

Then he saw how tree logs came crashing towards the cave entrance. His eyes widened in shock as the logs got stuck on the stone, blocking his only way out. He could hear Meri scream outside, but he didn't know what it was that she screamed at. His last thought was that he would make it, he would get out to save her...

And then the logs gave in and water came crashing in, pulling Zander underwater and towards the unknown darkness.

---

When Meri had gotten outside she had to begin swimming. The water level was rising fast, and she could not understand how there could be so much water... The water pulled her underwater, she struggled to surface again.

When she did she failed to see a branch that approached her fast. She saw a flash of white in her right eye before everything turned dark. And she screamed, louder than she had ever screamed. Because now she could not see. She could feel a trail of warm blood flow down her left cheek, and she knew she was leaving a red line to the water...

Meri tried to listen, but all she could hear was the water splashing around her. Over the sound she could hear a voice, one she recognized as Nadayshana. She couldn't locate the cub, she had to concentrate too much on keeping herself steady on the flow.

"Zander...?"
She whispered this before she was pulled underwater again. She couldn't see, she couldn't hear... She couldn't find him like this. She felt tired, she couldn't keep up...

Her feet hit solid ground, and with extended claws she took a hold of it, pulled herself forward and splashed out from the water. She gasped for air while coughed up water, shivering as she slumped on to the damp ground. If she would have been able to see she would have realized she had reached a high point with a few trees. If she would have been able to see she would have noticed the water level wasn't rising anymore. If she would have been able to see she would have noticed a dark figure stand near her, the figure of Zander's father.

But she couldn't. She had become what she had feared the most... Completely blind.
"Zander..."
She buried her face to her paws, letting herself cry. She would never see him again, never again...
'Zander I love...'
She never finished that thought as she fell into unconsciousness.

---

He had been watching it all from the safe point at the cliff. He had heard how a dam formed by logs broke under the pressure of the water. He had seen how the flood rushed towards the cave where his son's group was. He had witnessed the more or less successful escape of various group members. He knew his son never got out of the cave.

And now the white lioness who had caught his attention earlier that day had struggled her way to the same cliff on which he was. He had seen the blood, and by the looks of it she couldn't see him at all. And now she was lying there, her hair completely messed up, like a fallen angel.

He chuckled before he turned his back at her and walked away. He had played around earlier when he had encountered the group, to mess around with Zander's mind.

Now she was no use to him.

He glanced at her for one last time. If she would survive this all, he could find her later. He could find her...

He grinned before he dissappeared into the darkness.

[Deleted]

OK..Sad to say but this Roleplay is now closed for good and is being retired.

Big thanks to Kirsui, Fire, Genie,, Sarafina and Lorien for all there great posts..