CoralFlame stretched her hind legs and yawned, dew hung on the edge of the grass like little tiny mirrors. She had always been facinated with her reflection, and she bent down to stare into the drop. It revealed a slender cat, with broad shoulders and fur the color of the sun, her eyes were a hazel color, like her mothers.
CoralFlame smiled and headed down a small slope that led to the river. The water roared, and CoralFlame approached cautiously.
While she loved small quantitys of water, a large river sent her into panic mode. She could just imagine it swallowing her, sucking her in. Drowning her. Sadly, water was a necessity, so CoralFlame tried to balance herself over the edge, that way she could drink...and not die.
The water was cool against her rough tongue. It sent a shiver down her spine, and she liked it. How could something so full of life, bring death?
Several moons ago her sister, WildFur, had raced her down this very path. They were drinking out of the river, teasing each other with friendly pushes toward the water, when it happened. CoralFlame had pushed it too far. Literally. WildFur had slipped over the edge and Fell into the water. The last glimpse of her had been terrifying. WildFur's paws flailing, she gurgled and then was swallowed. Silence followed, like the water had acknowledged her death.. And mourned over her.
CoralFlame writhed, the memory was painful. It was her fault.. Not the waters. But that didn't stop her from hating it. A sob racked her body, and she collapsed in the soft grass. "Not fair, Not fair, Not fair..."
When she had finished sobbing, she noticed the presence of someone behind her.
"Hello." said a soft voice. CoralFlame turned, " SunGlaze!" She croaked.
He smiled sweetly, "Are you ok?"
I thought about lying, he didn't have to know how guilty I felt.
" It's my fault!" I frowned, "All my fault!"
He let out a hearty laugh, and I almost clawed him.
"This is not funny!" I growled, startling him.
Now it was his turn to frown, "I never said it was. Don't blame yourself CoralFlame."
I hung my head, "I blamed the water. I blamed my paw. I blamed the morning for making me wake up that day. But it's none of that.. It's me."
He didn't respond, wasn't this where he was supposed to comfort me? Oh, CoralFlame... It's not your fault! It will never be your fault!
But he didn't, instead he made me feel worse.
"Maybe it is your fault, CoralFLame. That doesn't mean you can go on like this. The clans worried. You don't talk to anyone... You barely eat! Much less drink!"
He was right, and I hated him for that. But how can you move on? I looked back at the water, it was quiet again. Like it was saying sorry. Maybe I could try to forget, to forgive myself, to forgive water. But today was not that day.
I sighed, then walked toward him. He stood still as I pushed my head onto his chest. His fur was like mine, bright as a flame, and I smiled as his heartbeat matched mine. He could make me forget.
" I don't want to move on, not yet."
"Okay." He spoke quietly, "Take all the time you need."
I nodded absently, and buried my head deeper into his fur.
He licked my ear, "I have to go hunt now."
"Im coming."
"I thought so." He smiled, and I followed him into the dense forest, the leaves shone with sunlight and for a while, I did forget.