A\N: Sorry this took so long to get back into. I'm back now, and will update soon.

Massive thank you to Liyorah, who's beta'd all my work to perfection!

Beta'd by Liyorah

All Too Clear

After we ate, Victoria and I laid in the clearing. Her head was laid next to my chest, but we weren't touching in any way. We were silent, and I had a powerful urge to reach out and stroke her untamable red mane. My hand was almost laid on her head before I realized I'd even moved it. I retracted it quickly, and laid it safely on my chest. As the hours passed and the sky darkened, I reflected on what I knew about my fiery, new pet. She was feisty, feminine, infuriating, sexy, playful, energetic, and she was undeniably something to look at. But she was difficult. But then again, what life was without challenges? And many times the most trying problems had the most wonderful rewards, once you'd overcome them...

Ah. There was the problem.

I didn't get to think too much more about it though. Victoria jumped up and began to walk away.
"Where do you think you're going?" I asked, only bothering to sit up.
"Somewhere," She muttered, her steps not faltering for one second. I was already on my feet and beside her before I even realized I'd moved.
"Victoria?" I asked, concernedly. No, no, I didn't. I am not concerned about Victoria. She's just a pet.
"I want to be alone."
"You can't. You're not just running off." I dismissed the subject
"James, please!" She begged, "I'm coming back! I just need to be alone for an hour or two!"
How I loved her when she begged.

"Still, you're not going."
"Yes, I am. I can do what I want."
"No, you can't. You do as I say. You don't have a choice!"
"I know I don't have a choice! If I had a choice, do you think I would be with you?! Because, let me tell you something, James, I wouldn't be! I wouldn't be within a hundred miles of you!" She ran off, leaving me standing there, stunned. How dare she?

I didn't run after her, though I considered it. I don't know if it was the right thing to do, letting her dash off, leaving her alone. It was strange, almost unreal. I couldn't believe that she had affected me so. Someone was shouting out her name desperately, and it took longer than it should have to realize it was me. If she heard that, she'd think I was weak. I wasn't weak. She was leaving, though. Leaving me stood here in this damp, barely-lit clearing. But what bothered me most is that she was disappearing, abandoning me. I was alone.
"Victoria!" I cried again, no longer caring what she thought of me.

"Victoria!"

The word echoed around the forest, blocking out any other noise. I sank to my knees as my cry diminished into the air.

"Victoria!" I cried, but she never once answered or came back. Her light footfalls never wavered. I needed her. Although she'd never know it, it was true. It was all too clear to me now.

I loved her.