Chapter Ten- Trees and Teases
"Can I talk to you?" Treestar asked, sounding rather tired.
Shade stood up and looked at him for a long time. Then she just nodded. Treestar led her to a secluded spot under a tree. Shade could not quite tell what sort of tree it was, but somehow, she felt safe here. Perhaps it was how calm and surreal the abbey seemed. Perhaps it was the quiet breeze that was making the leaves rustle. They seemed to whisper to her. She could not understand them of course, but she enjoyed their chant.
Or perhaps it was Treestar's presence. Perhaps the young- no, he was not the young hare she once knew. He was older now. Perhaps the hare made her feel at home, not that she yet knew where that was.
"Shade," Treestar was looking at her in a way that made Shade want to avoid eye contact, so she let her eyes wonder over the soft grass around her paws. "Look, I know I'm the last creature you want to talk to, but I have to tell you what I've been meaning to say for a long time."
Shade looked up in surprise. This wasn't what she'd expected. Two swift apologies, a handshake and then goodnight was what Shade had expected. Treestar was looking at her with a kind of melancholy expression. How could she look at him when he was talking like this? Why couldn't she? Was she afraid to face a friend? Was she afraid to face what he was going to say?
Shade had an ego though. She wasn't afraid of anything. She looked right at him, her eyes revealing nothing.
To Treestar, this was a challenge.
He took her look to be a look of pure defiance. 'Your wasting my time, so hurry up and say what you must.' How could it have come to this? Such rivalry between two friends who had trained together, played together, shared secrets, and shared a common goal- to do what was right?
Could it be possible he could break her spirit and cause her to understand what he was about to say? Could he himself understand it?
"Look, Shade, I'm sorry, Truly, I am. You have no idea how hurt I was that you didn't... don't want my company; I would do anything to change that, anything. Please, if you remember any of our former friendship, please believe me and accept what I offer- I don't want to loose you when you leave, so can I at least escort you? I'll leave whenever you like, but let me come back and visit. Please."
Shade almost stopped breathing. Did Treestar actually think she didn't want his company? She could hardly stand the thought that she had made him feel so hurt! She suddenly became choked with tears and could do nothing more then hug her old friend.
That was her yes, her sorry, and her truly regretful sorry. She felt silly as she sobbed into his vest, but he held her. He hugged her and whispered comforts to her until she could finally stop her tears.
Then she stepped back and looked at him. "I'm sorry, I really am, I never meant to make you feel like that-!" She said, but Treestar put a hand over her mouth.
"It's forgotten, say no more. Lets go stargaze together." He said. She just let him lead her to the clearing and helped her down before laying beside her. He allowed her to rest her head on his arm as they gazed up at the brilliant lights and the moon that lit up the night sky.
"They look different then on the beach." Shade said softly.
"Don't they though? I think they like it here better, shining down on a peaceful abbey more then shining on a stronghold of war." Treestar said.
"No, they like shining when there are those to watch them, few do that at Salamandastron." Shade said.
"Maybe your right." Treestar said.
"Shade?" It was Willow, her silent friend close on her tail.
"Sorry, I didn't see you after the fight." Shade said, looking over at her sister.
"Your Treestar right?" Willow asked, directing the question at the hare.
"Yes, hello again Willow." Treestar said. "Your friend?" He asked, gesturing towards Clover.
"Clover." Willow said.
"Have a seat, your blocking my view!" Protested a Redwaller behind Willow and Clover.
"Sorry Brooky." Willow said, before sitting down with Clover. Shade turned around to look at the otter behind them. Brooky met Shades gaze and gave her a smile.
"Hello, you must be Shade." She said.
"Yes." Shade said.
"Nice to meet you." Brooky said. Shade didn't know what to say, so she laid back down and continued to watch the stars, until the stars blurred and she fell asleep.
When Shade woke up, she was laying in her bed. Her roomate Seapaw was straightening up. She giggled at Shade and looked away.
"Whats so funny?" Shade asked.
"You and Treestar." Seapaw said. She made a lovey-dovey pose and batted her eyelashes.
"What are you talking about?" Shade asked.
"He carried you up to bed!" Nissa exclaimed, Shade hadn't even noticed the other hare.
"And then gave you a kiss on your cheek!" Seapaw exclaimed.
"And if the two of you embarrass Shade you'll be kissing her feet, now, go get breakfast." Growled Tona, coming in the room. The two hares dashed off, laughing.
Shade looked at Tona. "What was that all about?" She asked.
"Treestar and you made up last night I take it?" Tona asked, ignoring Shades question.
"Yea, we both were pretty foolish." Shade said. "It doesn't even make sense that we argued."
"Good, lesson learned then." Tona said.
"I suppose so." Shade said.
"Well, get ready and come down for breakfast, but Dutty wants to see you first, and I think there are some others with him." Tona said.
"You mean Kuri and Gurrum?" Shade asked, guessing that she'd hear yet another part of the story.
"No, like Tam and a few other Redwallers." Tona said.
"I'm not in trouble am I?" Shade asked, trying to remember if she'd done anything bad... besides mouthing off to Kuri yet again she couldn't think of anything.
"How should I know? Now, get ready!" Tona commanded sharply. She had a hint of amusement behind her eyes though.
Shade dressed in a light blue training vest from Salamandastron. She then shook her head and put on a beige outfit from Sadone. It was a standard outfit, just a short sleeved jacket with a brown cord to hold the cream-colored cloth in place. Shade found she had to tie the cord a little tighter then normal, and vowed to work out some later. She would hate to loose her agility over a simple feast!
She went downstairs and passed all the tantalizing smells of yet another Redwall feast. How well they cooked! Shade however walked passed the bustle and towards the door she'd been taken in after she had been discovered spying. She tentively raised a hand to knock. Three firm raps, then silence.
Ugg, bad ending, but I need something for the next chapter! Anyway, I might update several times this week b/c of spring break and having nothing better to do, so enjoy!
Spirit