To Be Kind

"Where does kindness get you?"

In the wild, it gets you nowhere. It gets you ridiculed and mocked as a weakling, for having only one eye due to a fox fight. It gets you taken advantage of.

But for today, it gets me somewhere. It gets me loved.

Adenium, the love of my life. The feisty, smart, beautiful rogue that wouldn't have spared me a second glance, until I saved her by taking her in and caring for her when she nearly drowned. Out of kindness. And do you know what she said?

"Thank you. That was very kind, and brave. I'm so grateful, Bramble. Most rogues would have just left me there, to die. But you stopped and took me in. "

I lived on those words for moons. Until I saw her again.

She recognized me instantly. "Bramble! Hello!" Loping over in that graceful way of hers, she touched noses with me. "What are you doing around here?"

"Well, I kind of live in the cave over there," I said dryly, gesturing with my tail.

"Really?"

I dipped my head shyly. "Yes. Would you like to see it?"

Adenium's eyes shone. "Of course!"

After this encounter, we spent many more days together. We found kindred spirits in each other (which was certainly to my delight). Then, she cornered me after we were hunting.

"Bramble, I need to talk to you. It's important," Adenium stated, eyes glowing intensely.

I nodded, perplexed by her tone, and allowed her to lead me away to where she sat me down and looked at me.

"I have something to tell you. Bramble, I... I think I'm in love with you. I realize you probably don't feel the same way -"

I was shocked, and cut her off. "What? You're in love... with me?"

"That's what I said."

Purring, I nuzzled her cheek. "This is amazing! Adenium, I've been in love with you since I first saw you!"

She looked astonished. "Wow, I can't believe this..."

"Me neither."

And for a time, I believed the world was kind.

Two Moons Later

"Help!"

I heard her scream. "Adenium! I'm coming!"

Bursting into the nursery I had prepared, I stared down at my mate, who was convulsing. "The kits!" she snarled.

I quickly fetched her a stick, and the herbs... but they didn't help. The sun was setting, and all she could do was scream while I desperately tried to stop the blood.

Finally, one kit was born. A beautiful golden she-kit, just like her mother. She started nursing instantly, but Adenium just flopped back listlessly.

"Addi? Addi? ADDI?" I cried, shaking her. "Please!"

She looked at me through dull green eyes, and I could still see a slight outline of the flowers she was named for. The star-shaped adenium flower.

"Bramble... love you. Take... care... of her." With that, a last breath escaped her, and her flanks fell still.

"ADDI!" I yowled, agony coursing through my broken heart. "NO!"

The kit squealed too, as if to mourn.

I stared at her blankly, but remembered Addi's last words. "Take care of her."

"I will find a way. Kindness is not a part of me anymore. I have to be strong," I whispered. "I promise... Star Flower."