A/N: THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! If; miriam is your favorite character, you really like her, or you just plain don't like death, DON'T READ THIS CHAPTER. If you want to read it anyway, PLEASE go read The Tale of Rubah Foxson first, it will soften the blow…

If you have no problems oncesoever with all of the above, well, then, Carry on, good readers.

Chapter Six - Death Isn't Fair

To say Miriam was surprised would be deserving of the understatement of the year award. She was completely and totally flabbergasted. In the fifteen years since Ruabh and Miriam had come across the twins, Rubah had not been able to suppress a chuckle every time he thought about it. It had been hilarious.

He didn't know why he was thinking about it as he and EraBex stalked their prey, but it just sort-of popped into his head. He did his very best to not laugh, but his efforts were unsatisfactory and earned a glare from Era anyway.

During said fifteen years, Rubah and Miriam had taught both the were-birds sign language, mostly for hunting purposes, but for other reasons as well.

Now, the currently human twin signed at Rubah, Quit giggling, you'll scare all the food away. Rubah quickly composed himself and focused on the hunt.

:::

They had been successful, managing to bring down a young doe and several rabbits. As they made their way back to camp, Era somehow organised a bet with his sister, despite her not being able to state her terms for obvious reasons.

EraBex both held two rabbits, the deal was, whoever made it back to camp fastest got to eat both the rabbits they carried. The loser had to share. Rubah had agreed to this and they decided that Miriam would be able to tell who won.

"Okay," said Rubah, "You're both ready?" A nod from Era and a piercing screech from above answered his query.

"Well, then, off you go." The moment he said it, both Era and the circling bird above disappeared. Rubah followed after, albeit at a much slower pace.

:::

Only minutes later, a human scream echoed through the silence of the woods. Rubah immediately dropped the deer and started running. Only to stop, frozen by shock and horror.

Era was on his knees in the clearing where they set up camp, sobs shaking his entire frame. In his arms was Miriam, an arrow in her chest and her eyes closed.

no, No, NO! This couldn't be happening! Rubah was by her side in a flash, Era gently placing her in his arms. The edges of his vision clouded, only seeing Miriam. Her breathing too ragged, her skin too pale.

"No," Rubah whispered, "No, no, Miriam, no… you can't go, don't leave me, please, no."

Miriam's eyes cracked open at the sound of his voice, her lips moving but no sound coming out. Finally, she managed words. They were not the words Rubah wanted to hear.

"It's… n-not, your… fault. D-don't… blame...your, self." The last word came out as a sort-of sigh, and her body went slack.

"No!" Cried Rubah, "Miriam! NO!"

His tears dropped down, one by one, then in a torrent, mingling with the blood on her shirt, her body close to his, rocking slightly as Rubah Foxson let go.

:::

A/N: *sobs* why, do I do this? Why?! I could have just skipped this chapter, but nooo. I had to cause myself all this pain and sorrow. And I couldn't even tell you why. *sniffles* and now I'm running out of tears. Good job, me.

Well, I think that's just about the end of this arc(not this story), 'cause I don't think I can write grief-stricken Rubah. Bye for now!

-PageKat