Bodyguard,lover,and friend

[Gaias_child]

Tala felt him probing at her entrance,her body sliding downward on his shaft. She felt his hands tighten around her waist as he thrust upward as hepulled her down. She cried out at the pain that flashed through her as he broke the thin maidenhead. Her body stiffened as she felt him slide deeply inside of her,trembling she lowered her head to look down at him. Her eyes wide with a pain,then they began to soften.

She felt the pain receeding,slowly she moved her hips. She bit her bottom lip as the pain no longer hurt,now there was a slow growing ache in the deepest part of her stomach.Her hips moved in a slow circle on him,feeling him slide deeper into her core. Her cry of pain had now become one of growing pleasure, her hands grasped against his chest. Her nails digging into his skin as she moved faster on him,rising up and down. Using her strong legs to lift her up into a crouching position over him,sliding up and down on the tip of his cock.

Twisting on the head,her pussy clenching tight at him. Her moans becoming louder,closer together. She could feel the juices running from her,both blood and her womanly fluid. Her head thrown back,eyes closed she could feel him growing harder inside of her. "Ohh..."She moaned as she rode him quickly,squeezing her inner muscles around him tightly.

 

[Last_Rider]

Tala's cry of pain as her innocence was taken knifed into Shadow. He didn't ever want her to hurt, even for the briefest of moments. When her large expressive eyes opened, he felt that same knife twist a little more. Fortunately the pleasure came fast on the heels of the pain, and when it started to register for her the expression changed. She started moving her hips, feeling the pleasure of sex for the first time.

It took much of Shad'rae's energy to not thrust up into her. Instead he had to let her adjust to the sensations. Soon enough he could, but for now he must remain still. Tala didn't make it easy, the way she ground her hips, or stroked up and down near the tip of his manhood. He didn't know if it was instinctual, if she had more knowledge than she'd let on, or just luck, but her walls and the motion of her hips were focusing all the pleasure on the head of his dick. It was almost too much, that sensitive part of him being so used by her.

When she started making sounds, Shad'rae joined her. It just felt so good, feeling her rise and fall on his rod, feeling them growing closer and closer to release. His hands rose and latched onto her breasts, kneading the flesh as she slid over more and more of him. Neither of them could last long, and with a cry he arched up into her and his pent up seed released itself into her body.

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala felt her body reaching,grabbing at something she had no idea of what. she felt him thrust all the way inside of her,his hands grounding her breasts together. She felt the flutter begin in the pit of her stomach,then the heated rush flooded her body. She felt as if she had been turned inside out,her cry echoed over the forest as she exploded around his cock. Her juices flooding across him,from her tunnel and across his hips.

She dropped across his chest when the spasms began to ease,her body trembling. Her hands resting close to the base of his neck,her head just above his heart. She could hear the frantic beating of his heart,mirroring her own. Sweat covered them and the cool night air brought small goosebumps across her skin.Her body still encasing him,her legs stretched out on wither side of his now.She lifted her head to meet his eyes,her deep dark ones to his golden ones. Moving slightly she lifted her lips to touch his lightly, the gentle kiss of a lover.

 

[Last_Rider]

Shad'rae panted in the aftermath of their shared passions, then he collapsed under Tala. She was right behind him, dropping onto his chest, both breathing deeply, their hearts racing. With the heat of passion fading the chill of the night air slipped over their sweat coated skin. Goosebumps spread across them both, and Shad'rae chuckled softly.

When her lips touched his, he returned the gentle kiss. He loved the feel of her lips, the taste of her skin, he could easily lose himself in it. It was then he realized that all was silent around them, and chuckled deep in his chest.

"I think you scared all the wildlife away."

A groan slipped from his lips as he sat up, easing himself from Tala's silky depths. He carried her to the stream and sat on the banks with her.

"When you're ready you need to clean yourself. Don't want to attract undue attention from the things around here."

His lips found her temple as she laid her head against his shoulder and breathed deeply, the crisp night air filling both their lungs.

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala had never blushed before and his joking words made her do so now. She nuzzled close to him as he carried her easily to the stream. She sighed and the shivered as the cool water flowed over her body,closing her eyes she leaned back against Shad'rae. Relaxing against him she rethought about all that had happened this day and night. Her chest tightened at the memories of her family,then the revealation of her best friend being a shifter. She turned in his arms and hugged him tightly.resting her cheek against his chest.

"You could have told me the truth a long time ago..."She whispered softly,her breath brushing across his chest. The night animals called out to each other around them. One mate calling to another,deep and soulfull.

She didnt feel the cold of the water any longer,just the heat that radiated from his skin around her. She felt safe in his arms,something she had not been accustomed too. She had always been a fighter,looking at for her brothers and sisters. Defending her village when she had too. Now for once she felt like she didnt have to be that strong woman right now. She buried her face into his skin,the warmth of her silent tears fell upon his skin. She cried for those lost,those who had no chance. For herself for not being able to save any of them.

Her hands grasped his forearms with each deep ragged cry that finally broke from her lips. Each quake of her shoulders,pain so deep she felt as if she would break. Tears that cleansed her inner self but still left her mind in turmoil.she would return to her village the next dawn and give all those the proper burial...then she would seek out those responsible then make them pay.

 

[Last_Rider]

Shad'rae held Tala as she sobbed, his own heart breaking as she vented her grief. He was utterly powerless, the only recourse he had was to hold her against him, stroke her hair softly, and ride out the emotions with her. He cleaned them both in the stream with one hand, the other always around her quivering form. When that was done he lifted her and carried her back to their sleep location. She seemed unaware, but that was ok. She was giving vent to all encompassing grief, being a little dissociated was probably par for the course.

As he held her body to his, whispering softly how much he loved her, her words drifted back to him.

"You could have told me the truth a long time ago..."

Yes, he could have. But he had been raised to know just how isolated he was, how his kind weren't home anywhere but with themselves. Everything he'd seen of the world reinforced that. He'd carefully guarded his secret, no one who knew him as a man had suspected he was a shifter. In his heart he knew there were good people who didn't care what he was, Tala and her family had been that kind. They were simply a minority, and he was more afraid of rejection. The thought that Tala would curse him and leave him had haunted him all the years he'd shadowed her.

He was so lost in his self reflection he didn't notice that Tala had drifted off to sleep in his arms. Shad'rae pulled the blankets over them and wrapped his arms around Tala, holding her close to him.

"You're safe now, I won't let anyone every hurt you again."

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala slept deeply,not even her dreams penetrated her mind. She stirred as she felt the night shifting into morning. She lay there cradled in the warmth of Shad'raes arms. Breathing deeply of his scent,then slowly sliding from his side she moved to the stream. Her hands carried her clothing and she knelt beside the crisp waters. She looked down at the reflection staring back at her,the split lip and bruised jar reminders of what she had to do.

She pulled her leather leggings on then slid the tunic over her head. She couldnt wear her second tunic from the tears and blood. It hugged her tightly as she slolwy stood up,attaching her sword at her waist. She wondered when Shad'rae had retrieved it. She lifted her hands into her hair and slowly pulled it up and tightly into a tail. She didnt need to turn as she felt eyes on her,she stood there looking out over the stream. The need to return to her village strong but also the desire to return to the safety of Shad'raes arms. She blinked as the morning sun broke through the trees and down on her body.

 

[Last_Rider]

Shad'rae's sleep was restless, anytime the warm precious bundle in his arms stirred he was awake. Despite being up and down most of the night, he was surprisingly clear headed when he woke. Tala was standing by the creek, hair pulled up into a tight pony tail, tighter clothing around her body, and a sword at her waist. It was her sword, he couldn't specifically remember getting it, but was certain he had done so.

He stretched, resembling the great cat he was in another form, then stood. He redressed, leggings and a vest. His only weapons were knives, at least that was all he had with him at the moment, and they were on the inside of his vest and one in each boot. He moved up behind Tala, admiring the play of light and shadow over her body.

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

It was a useless question, but he felt compelled to ask it anyway. One hand cradled her face, gentle around the areas still puffy and swollen from yesterday.

"Alright, follow me, I can find the way back. Try and stay quiet, there were a fairly good number of them when I rescued you and we can't fight them head on."

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala nuzzled into his touch for a moment,then raised her eyes to meet his. They were clear and determined.She lifted her own hand to touch his cheek softly. "I have to make sure my family receives the proper burial,I cant stand to think of the scavengers getting to them."She said softly as she turned from him. Her shoulders squared as she composed herself,one hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

No words were spoken as they began the trek back to her village,several times she stopped as noises met her ears. She could see Shad'rae tense as well,before they moved on. Soon as the sun reached its peak they neared her village,smoke still wafed from still burning embers. She could feel as well as smeel death all around her. Her heart hammering as she moved into the place she once called home.

She removed her sword and rested it next to her burned out cottage. Her mond shutting down as she lifted her younger brother and sister's bodies to the edge of the village. Letting them lie next to the forest they so loved to play in,she could still hear their laughter and shrieks as they hid from her. Her eyes stung as she began to dig their final resting places,so young and full of life to have been so cruelly ended. She lost all track of time,once shrugging off Shad'raes offer to help. It was something she had to do herself.

She dug the final two graves for her mother and father after the last of her siblings had been covered. Her mother looked serene as she crossed her arms across her stomach,sheltering the silenced babe under them. A babe that had no chance to take the first breath of life,ended before it began. She felt the tears running down her face as she finally moved to her fathers grave.

His ravaged body made her want to scream in her anguish,she bit it down as she placed the last of the dirt over his body. She lifted his sword and placed it in the soil tip buried deeply at his head. She lifted his helm and draped it over the hilt. Finally giving into her exhaustion and grief she sank to the ground next to the sword,wrapping her arms around it. Her tears fell but no sobss escaped her this time,standing finally she gave a final look over the graves. her hand went to her dagger,grasping her hair in her hand she sliced through the ponytail. She let the length of hair fall across her fathers grave in a golden cover. Her hair now fell to her shoulders,s symbol of her sorrow,she turned her eyes to Shad'rae. She took one step towards him and felt her knees give out. From exhaustion,sorrow or anger,she didnt know.

 

[Last_Rider]

The trek back was more tense than it had any right to be. Logically the raiders would have moved on, still fat and oblivious after their "success." Still, with every unnatural sound the couple tensed. In the silence between them they walked more or less back along the path Shad'rae had taken when rushing Tala away from them. All too soon they reached their destination.

Shad'rae could see it almost immediately, part of Tala shut down. Whatever she switched off allowed her to function amidst the chaos. He moved enough in front of her to scare away anything that was considering coming down to the burned husk of a village to feed. When he tried to help she wordlessly shrugged him off, and he didn't offer again. Whatever she was doing right now was personal, and he wasn't meant to be a part of it. He moved through the village, the stench of fire and rotting flesh think even to his human nostrils. It weighted heavily in his heart that humans could do this to each other, for no more reason than they could. I sickened him, reminded him of the stories the Elders told around camp fires.

Shadow hadn't simply left the group because of restlessness, though that certainly played a part. He got sick of hearing the people there railing against humans. They condemned them, called them bloodthirsty mindless savages. They cared nothing for others, or the world around them. Shad'rae simply got fed up with the hypocrisy of it all. Even here, much of the emotional response was directed at himself. No matter what he did, part of him was and always would be human, many of the other shifters chose to omit that fact from their discussion.

When Tala had buried her family and shed her hair, he finally approached. He had to wipe his own eyes a few times, the injustice, the utter selfishness it took to do something like this made the bile rise in the back of his throat. It also stoked his bloodlust, but for another time. For now Tala needed him.

He crouched beside her and wrapped his arms around her, feeling her trembling even though no sobs wracked her frame.

"I'm so sorry Tala."

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala let him hold her,she could feel his restraint,his anger. She lifted a hand and touched his cheek softly. Her eyes meeting his as she let his arms comfort her as she slowly regained herself. Her hand moved from his cheek to touch her now cropped hair. It would grow back,but her heart would never be the same again. She had noone left but Shad'rae,she vowed to herself silently she would not let anything take him from her.

"Shad'rae, I have lost everything I ever held dear to me. I am afraid now that something will take you from me. I have lost everything,and that thought terrifies me."She whispered softly against his chest,inhaling his scent. She trembled slightly,knwoing she would fight to the death over him.

 

[Last_Rider]

Shad'rae just held Tala for the longest time, his hands running softly along her back and sides. He wanted to protect her, to keep her safe. That had been his self appointed mission from the day he had first caught sight of her here, outside her home. Now he had failed in the worst possible way.

"Shad'rae, I have lost everything I ever held dear to me. I am afraid now that something will take you from me. I have lost everything,and that thought terrifies me.

"The thought terrifies me as well Tala."

He pulled back, just enough so their eyes could lock again. His golden ones filled with sympathy, compassion, love.

"But I will never let anything keep us apart."

His arms went around her again and he hugged her close.

 

[Gaias_child]

They sat there, cuddled close together for what seemed like hours,finally she moved out of his arms and stood. The wind had picked up and her now short cropped hair blew around her face. She could feel the building storm on the wind,smell the rain in the breeze the blew. There would be no shelter from the storm here in the ruined village. She rested her hand on the hilt of her sword,turning to look at Shad'rae.

"There is a storm coming,we have to find somewhere to ride it out."She said knowing how rough these storms could get,how violent. She had seen homes ripped from their bases by the raging winds,rain and sleet that had brought blood to the surface of anyone it had pelted.

She quickly thought of the cave nearby where she had first hidden from her parents,where she had seen Shad'rae for the first time. A soft smile came to her lips as she thought about that encounter and how close they had become. She turned and moved towards the forest,her eyes turning her eyes to look at him over her shoulder.

"I know of a place,remember where we first met. The cave near the waterfall?"She said as she began to run into the forest,her feet lightly fallling with each step as the first soft raindrops fell. She knew the rainfall would only increase and hoped no other forest dweller had claimed the cave she thoguht of as her place.The first hammer of thunder echoed across the trees as lightning lit up the sky,it was going to be a bad storm.

 

[Last_Rider]

Shad'rae was well aware of the approaching storm, his golden eyes had caught the motion of the clouds, he could smell the coming rain. Still, he knelt with Tala until she was able to move. She seemed to know as well as he did that bad weather was on its way. She was right about needing somewhere to ride it out. Violent storms were something of a hallmark of this part of the world.

"I know of a place,remember where we first met. The cave near the waterfall?

A smile touched his lips.

"How could I forget. It should be a good place to wait this out."

They were off again, bounding through the forest, Tala moved so gracefully. Her footfalls were almost silent, as though she never truly touched the ground.

"Hang on for a moment."

Shad'rae paused and stripped his clothes from his body. He rolled them up with the rest of his supplies and handed them to Tala.

"The wildlife here knows my scent as a panther, it should keep them away."

With that he shifted into the great cat and stood still while Tala bound the things to his back. Then they were off again, the wind rapidly picking up in pace as they rushed for the shelter of the cave.

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala watched as he easily shifted,her heart beat quicker as she watched the man before her become the strong cat she knew and loved. she strppd his bundle onto his back and continued on into the forest. She stayed close to him,knowing he could have out ran her easily if he had chosen too. She could feel the ground shake from the thunder and lightning,the rain grew harder against her skin,stinging where the drops hit.

She felt relief as the waterfall finally appeared to her eyes,her soft laughter almost lost in the raging storm. She stopped at the foot of the small cliff they would have to climb to reach the mouth of the cave,her eyes traveling upwards. her hands reaching out to find holdin the rock along with her feet. She then began to climb up into the familiar place she had not been to in years. She gasped as her foot slid free from its perch,her knees skidded across the stones bringing a hiss of stinging pain from her lips. Yet she continued,hearing Shad'rae close behind her.

She finally pulled herself over the edge and was glad to finally walk out of the stinging rain. The cave was damp and chilly from the change in temperature and she shivered slightly. Wrapping her arms around herself as she looked around. She gave Shad'rae a small smile in the darkness knowing he could see just as well as if in light. "I think I left some wood in the back..'She said as her lips trembled from the cold. The temperatures with these storms could turn almost wintery depending on the serverity of them.

 

[Last_Rider]

Shadow moved quickly, but didn't outdistance Tala, letting her keep him in sight. Soon enough they found the beautiful waterfall. If the weather had been cooperating he would have paused again to enjoy the pristine natural setting. It was one of the reasons Tala had run here when she'd been a child. He'd had to show her to the cave for the night.

Now she was grown, and climbed with relative ease. Shadow stayed behind her, his climb much easier than hers. When she slipped his whole being seemed to freeze while she regained her footing. Finally sheltered inside the cave he felt her shuddering. The rain had come sooner than expected and they were both very wet following the start of the downpour.

"I think I left some wood in the back.."

He shook his body and let the supplies slip from his back and padded towards the far recesses of the cavern. Sure enough, there was some wood piled there. The great black panther shivered once, and Shad'rae now stood. He gathered the wood and hurried back to where Tala was huddled. After he set the wood down he rummaged through the pack to find his flint.

"Lose the clothes Tala. The fastest way to regain body heat is naked flesh on flesh. Once your clothes are dry you can put them on, but for now you're better off without them."

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala slid from her clothes and shivered as she watched him start a fire,moving closer to him she could feel the warmth emitting from his body. She nuzzled closer to him,seeking out his heat. her body molding against his,her arms wrapping tightly around him. She shook as she tried to warm up,slowly his heat beegan to fill her along with the glow of the fire. Lightning flashed outside of the cave and the stone walls shook from the thunder. She had not seen a storm this strong in a long time.

She could see the mouth of the cave as the rain poured over it in a turrent.A shimmering curtain of rainwater,her eyes began to drift closed as she began to warm up. Fatigue pulling at her as she leaned closer to Shad'rae. Sleep was deep and sometime during the night they had lain back on a soft bed of moss. She awoke to a fierce heat coarsing through her body,she fitfully tried to push the source away from her. Her body was on fire,it roared through her system unrelentless. Her skin felt as if she was burning alive,she thrashed in Shad'rae's arm,fighting against him. Her fevered mind telling her she had to get away,she moaned.

The cut she had received during her fight with her abductors throbbed painfully and red. It had only been a light scratch and she had not mentioned anything to Shad'rae about it. It rested on the underside of her arm and the pain flared each time she moved it. Her fevered dreams were filled with demons,death and fire. her cry escaping her lip as she fought the demons in her mind.

 

[Last_Rider]

Shad'rae was curled around Tala, both facing the crackling fire, the storm raging against the world outside. As the heat soaked into him, steam actually rising from his well toned skin, he relaxed. Truthfully this was far from a first for him, he'd spent many nights like this, minus the beautiful company of course. Slowly his eyes drifted closed.

He woke feeling Tala struggling, her skin was hot. Too hot, it was unnatural. Still somewhat sleep addled he tossed more wood onto the fire and looked down at her. She was sweating while it still thundered outside. When she moved her arm he caught sight of the problem, a previously minor injury that hadn't been treated. And they'd spent the evening handling the dead. This couldn't be good.

"Wake Tala, I need you to wake."

His hand slapped across her cheek, the fever fog lifting from her eyes briefly.

"Stay here. Do not leave the cave it is safe here. I will protect you, but I need you to be here when I return."

She gave a weak nod. It was all he could do for now, he wasn't about to tie her up. Praying she remembered to stay put he shifted into the great panther and bounded through the minor waterfall that had become the entrance to the cave. Shad'rae was no expert healer, but he knew enough to deal with this. At least he hoped so. The sinewy muscles flexed under the sleek black coat of fur as he bolted through the forest. He needed the cats sense of smell to find the right herbs.

It took less time than he'd expected, but he found what he was looking for. He kept some healing plants in his supplies, but there were a few specialized things he needed for this. After locating the plants he shifted, uprooted them, then shifted back and took them into his mouth. The return trip was faster, and the cat again parted the water that poured over the cave entrance. He shifted back, thankfully Tala was still there.

He moved quickly, using a bowl from his supplies to catch water from the storm, arranging the herbs he had. In what seemed far too long, he had them boiled and was applying the resultant paste to the wound. Another batch of water was working its way to a boil, she'd have to ingest this one. Also he pulled every scrap of cloth they had that was dry and wrapped her in it, the fever would have to break or the rest wouldn't matter.

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala vaguely heard Shad'Rae as he told her to stay there,she curled on the ground before the fire. Her body shivered one minute then felt as if it was going to burn up the next. She sat up and looked around her,the cave was dark save for the glow of the fire. The cascade of rain still fell over the mouth of the cave. Se could feel the roll of thunder and every now and then the flash of lightning. She stuggled to her feet,trying to remember what Shad'rae had told her. Stay in the cave...but she was so hot. The rain looked inviting as she staggered towards the entrance.

She had almost gotten there when the large shadow filled her vision. She cried out in shock and staggered backwards,loosing her footing and crashing to the ground. Her head yanking up to look at the shadow,in her fevered mind she didnt recognise Shad'rae as he returned. She scooted backwards n the ground,trying to get a foothold to rise. She slipped and finally got to her feet,swinging her fist as she did.

She felt her fist conenct with the solidness of his jaw,her fist exploded in pain. She grunted and began to swing her other fist,trying to remember where she had put her sword. The the stomach cramps started and she grabbed at her stomach,doubling over. She dropped to her knees,panting. "Kill me and get it over with."She grunted out rising her face to look up at him. The shadow moved and finally Tala saw it was Shad'rae.

"Shad'rae?....Gods It hurts...I feel like Im burnign alive."She managed to get out before her eyes rolled back into her head and she slumped backwards. Her body making a soft sickening thud as it hit the ground.

 

[Last_Rider]

Shad'rae caught Tala as she finally fell under the weight of her illness. He was still a little dizzy, her punch had some weight behind it and it had rocked him more than he'd expected. He applied the bandages to her wound, then eased her head up and spoke soothingly to her.

"Wake for a moment Tala, I need you to drink something for me. I promise it will make you feel better."

He wasn't sure if she was totally aware of her surroundings, but she opened her mouth and swallowed each bit of the broth he put to her lips. Finally it was gone, there was nothing else he could do tonight. He cursed the damp stone he had to leave her on when he went and collected enough firewood to see them through the storm, then he again pulled her against him. It wasn't enough, she needed more warmth than he could give like this.

Setting her aside he shifted again. The panther's fur would insulate her better. It took some positioning, but finally he was curled around her, one large paw draped over her form to keep her from moving too much. He prayed silently as she huddled against him, fighting the infection.

 

[Gaias_child]

Some point during the night her fever broke and she huddled close to Shad'rae.seeking the warmth his fur provided her. She felt every ache in her body,her arm hurt but she knew if she felt this much pain she was still alive. She shifted slightly,needing to relieve herself. She crawled out from his warm coccoon and moved to the mouth of the cave. The rains had stopped but the winds still howled. She quickly stepped out and relieved herself,leaning against the mouth of the cave as she returned.

Her strength she felt upon rising now was completely gone,she shook on her weak knees. She looked over at Shad'rae,she could feel his eyes on her even thought he seemed to be asleep. "Shad'rae..." She whispered softly reaching out to him. She knew he still had a village to go home to,but where would she go from here. She was alone...except for him.

 

[Last_Rider]

Shad'rae woke several times during the night, anytime Tala shifted it was enough to get his mind up and alter to any possible danger. The unnatural heat coming off her body finally ceased sometime before the sun rose, and that knowledge let Shad'rae sink a little deeper into sleep. When Tala got up and walked towards the entrance to the cave he was again roused from sleep, and kept one eye on her motions.

When she came back inside and the body gave out, too tired from fighting the infection to keep her upright for very long, the panther got to his feet and moved to her side. She had enough strength to lay across his back as he moved them to the fire again. Tala had spoken his name, and in just that simple word he could feel the trepidation in her being.

Once she was again on the sleeping mats he shifted to human form and re-stoked the fire. Now that her fever had broken she wouldn't require the panthers insulating fur, and he laid down beside her, wrapping his arms around her body.

"I wont leave you Tala, I promise. I will not leave you alone."

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala stirred,groaning softly as she moved from the warm confines of Shad' rae arms. She moved closer to the small fire and added the remiaing wood until it flared once more. She crouched there,staring into the flames,her arms wrapped around her knees. She could feel Shad'rae behind her and smiled softly. She could always feel him even when they were younger,just knowing he was near made her feel better. this time however,she felt like she was grabbing for something that could be possible.

She didnt turn around as she spoke softly over the fire. "Shad'rae...where do we go from here?"She began her voice almost an unaudible whisper. "You have a village to return to., your family will not welcome me."She said softly wanting to cry,knowing how the others people were.

She turned then and looked over her shoulder at him,her face still pale a drawn from the night before. She fealt weak but not as sick as she was. Her arm ached but didnt throb like before. She stood and turned..her hand reaching out. Her fingertips gently touched his cheek feeling it jump under her touch. She knew there could be a possibility of her carrying his child after the love making they had shared. Yet she knew what it was to be torn between two families. She swalloed hard as she moved closer to him,her hand sliding down to rest over his heart,feeling it beating under her hand.

She moved her head and placed a soft kiss on his skin,her lips lingered savoring his taste. She knew what she was going to do would either tear him from her or he would understand her fears. She lifted her hand to drape over his shoulder,the piece of log unseen by him as she lifted it. She touched her lips to his and whispered softly..."I love you." Before she brought the wood down on the back of his head. She cried out as he fell to the gorund,he was alive,his breathing strong.

She knew he wouldnt let her go..he would turn his back on his people if he had too. She couldnt let him do that. She dressed and with one last look at his form she moved out of the cave. Her feet carried her weakly at first then grew stronger with each step. She felt the tears running down her cheeks as she ran further and further from Shad'rae. She hoped he would forgive her...she knew though deep in her heart he would find her..sooner or later..he would find her.

 

[Last_Rider]

Sleep was off and on for the rest of the night for Shad'rae, he just liked being away of Tala's body curled against him. It was perfection, pure and simple perfection from his stand point. Part of him never wanted the night to end and the sunlight to cause her body to move from his. Of course the night ended eventually, and Tala slid from his embrace and crouched near the fire.

"Shad'rae...where do we go from here?"

It was a very relevant question. He couldn't very well remain shifting between forms, traveling between cities and the forest with Tala. The logical decision was to take her back to his people. Her next words spoke to that, her fear about them. There was much justification for that, but if they wouldn't take them back He was perfectly happy just being with her.

"Tala, I don't care about them. I care about you too much to allow their small mindedness come between us."

Shad'rae was propped up on one elbow now, his gold eyes locked on Tala. He followed her movements as she moved close and crouched down across from him. Her touch on his chest caused his heartbeat to accelerate. Just the touch of her fingers got the most visceral of reactions from him. Then her lips found his skin, one arm around his neck.

"I love you."

The words were just a whisper against his lips, but it was more than enough.

"I-"

The last thing Shad'rae knew was an impact to the back of his skull and a blinding flash of light behind his eyes, then blackness.

When Shad'rae finally started coming to it was black outside again. The back of his head pulsed with agony, and much of his thick black hair was matted with dried blood. He moved slowly, his whole body hurt. There were only a few red embers in the remnants of the fire, and no trace of Tala. What the hell had she done that for?!

The flare of pain behind his forehead warned against concentrating too hard or an emotional response. Rather than rage he weakly sat up, fighting the urge to vomit with every groggy motion of his limbs. He closed his eyes against the pulsing in his brain and tried to regain some sort of control over his body. Breathing deeply, slowly, and mostly through his nose, Shad'rae managed to regain enough of himself to start thinking about Tala.

Whatever she had done she had done it with the best of intentions, of that he had no doubt. There wasn't a malicious bone in her, and she hadn't taken much that he could tell. As he cradled his head in his hands he couldn't come to an acceptable reason for what she'd done. He loved her, and she loved him. How dare she deny that. If she didn't feel the same way he did he could completely understand her reaction, but she felt the same.

Eventually he figured out it didn't matter. He was going after her one way or the other. Now if for no other reason than to figure out why she'd attacked him. It was a while before he felt comfortable enough to shift, and even then he had to make sure he was packed. The motions were slow, it felt like swimming, or wading through mud. Eventually he got his things in order and shifted to the panther. The panther still had much of the same damage, but operated on a more instinctual level so it didn't seem to matter as much.

The great cat shrugged into the traveling harness and then very slowly left the cave and started sniffing around. Tala's trail was faint, it only now occurred to him it might have been more than a day he was unconscious. Either way, he found it and started padding along her trail, drawn to her scent as he'd always been.

 

[Gaias_child]

Tala had stopped several times,her body shaking with her tears,anguished cries slid from her lips. She knew she was doing the right thing..wasnt she? She couldnt ask him to leave his people for her who had none now. She still had to find those responsible for her families deaths,avenge them. She wouldnt totally be free until that happened. She pushed away from the tree,the further she got from Shad'rae the more pain she felt in her very soul. Would he forgive her for what she did? WOuld he understand?

She waded across the narrow creek,cresting the small hill,her body tensed as she felt others nearby. She dropped down behind a bush,peering through at the others. She felt her heart leap..she recognised them..they were people of Shad'rae's village. She held her breath as one male rasied his head as if scenting the air,his head whipped around and looked right at her. She had been scented out,she broke from the bush and ran for all she was worth back towards the trees. Hopefully she could lose them in the denseness of the cover,but her heart knew how adept his people were.

She leapt over a rock,her hand skidding across the rough stone to scrape the skin from her palm. Her breath hitched as she ran,the pain in her lungs causing her to slow. Her body still weak from the infection and she grew careless. She rounded a tree and straight into another party of shifters. One large male lashed his arm out and almost clotheslined her,still she fell as she dodged the motion. Her body hammered on the ground and she looked up into the menacing eyes of another shifter.

"You are now caught...give it up,human."He growled down at her as he grabbed the front of her tunic. Lifting her to her feet without any trouble,pulling her close to his face. He stopped and sniffed,leaning closer to her he sniffed again.

""You smell like one of us...you have recently been with one of our kind." He growled as he shoved her away in disgust. " Where is this fool who beds humans?"He looked aorund her as if waiting for the one he asked about to suddenly appear. Long minutes passed and she didnt answer,her silence made him more angrier and he nodded to another.

"Bind her...Bring her with us."He growled as he began to walk away.the group following behind him. Tala was stripped of her sword and armor,wearing only her tunic and boots she was pulled along behind them. When she stumbled they yanked her back to her feet until they finaly arrived in the village she had only heard about from Shad'rae. She was yanked into the center of the square and tied to a large post. her arms pulled tightly above her head,high enough she was just on her raised toes.