HEY THERE! New chapter everybody! This is basically just cute romance stuff! Hope you enjoy! Me and Windy do not own DGM, Warrior cats or any of their characters. However we do own Silkendream and Saiken and they are under the copywrite of evalinesilverveil. ENJOY!
Chapter 4
Silken
It had been at least a few days after my team had spotted the poison. None of us had drunken anything, what was worse was the prey was even more sparse, and it was in the middle of leafbare, cases of white cough were becoming more frequent within my clanmates. Kloud and Johnnypaw had their paws full trying to take care of all of them at once. At some point, I even had to help them because they were so overwhelmed, not only with the white cough treatments but trying to make sure the clan didn't die of dehydration.
I sighed in disappointment as, once again, Lavitalon and I came back to the camp with no new kills. Not one. The only thing we had found was some crowfood of some prey who had had the misfortune of drinking the poisonous water. But that was no good. The poison would be inside them and that'd be as bad as drinking the water.
I weakly walked to the center of the camp, I didn't know why I felt so weak, I knew it wasn't the lack of liquid or the lack of food, maybe I was coming down with something. I plopped down in the snow, and rested my head on my paws. I can't get sick now! I need to keep hunting for the clan! I need to bring something back! I thought desperately, but I couldn't find the strength to stand up again.
"Hey, is something wrong?" Lavitalon asked worriedly.
"No… Just thirsty… But what else is new…" I half lied to him, yes I was thirsty but I was feeling weaker than usual.
"Come on, I've known you long enough to know when you're lying." The crimson tom rolled his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"I told you. I'm just thirsty…" I muttered.
"You're lying." He replied, walking closer to me.
"I'm fine, I swear." I said with a yawn, I felt exhaustion pull at me, it was in the morning, and I had just woken up a few hours ago, I could already tell he wasn't going to give up.
"I'm taking you to Kloud." He said with an air of finality.
"No you're not, I'm fine," I said exasperatedly. I cried out in protest when he picked me up by the scruff of my neck and began taking me to the medicine cat den.
"I swear I'm fine! I'm just a bit tired and thirsty! We all are! C'mon Lavi-kun!" I whined, struggling to become free from his grasp. He only continued to carry me until we reached Kloud. The Medicine cat den smelt strictly of herbs, the scent was sharp and quite pungent.
Kloud looked at me as I pouted in Lavitalon's grip. "And what's wrong today?" She asked a bit suspiciously. I grumbled irritably, she probably figured that I wasn't sick and it was something else. And I know exactly what she was probably thinking. I felt Lavi drop me, causing me to sort of collapse before I caught myself with my wobbly front legs. Staggering trying to stay in a standing position.
"She's not well... I think." Lavitalon explained. "Can't you take a look at her? Please Kloud?"
"I said I'm fine!" I protested.
"You, be quiet." Lavi scolded. "Please Kloud?"
"Okay." Kloud agreed with a sigh.
"Thanks." Lavitalon said brightly. I scowled at him. As Kloud began checking me over, irritation filling me. He knew me too well. My tail tip flickered in annoyance.
"Well, all I see so far is she's suffering from malnutrition. But right now, that's common." Kloud inspected. Then I felt something tickle my throat. I felt a cough escape my jaws. Dammit… Busted…. Couldn't keep that one in now could I? I thought irritatedly. "Seems like there is something wrong." Kloud pointed out.
"I'm f-" I felt myself break out into a fit of coughing. "Fine…" I finished.
"Of course you are." the medicine cat said sarcastically. "Now stay still please."
"But I'm fine! My throats just a bit dry!" I pleaded. The taste of herbs was absolutely disgusting.
"I know what a dehydrated cough sounds like." she scolded. "And that's not what it sounds like."
"But! But! Bu-" I had cut myself off with another fit of coughs. I caught Lavitalon smirking behind me. "Oh shut up!" I growled at him.
"Told you I could tell when you were lying." He said smugly.
"Shut-up mouse brain," I coughed.
"It seems you have White Cough…" Kloud said as she examined me. "I don't think I have any herbs left."
"And... that's not good... is it?" Lavitalon asked.
"No, but Johnnypaw is looking for more. So all I can say for now is try to get some fluids and food in her, keep her warm and dry, that should hold her well until Johnnypaw comes back." Kloud said, turning to face Lavitalon. He nodded.
"Right. Yeah. I'll do that." He replied. I stood up shakily how could things get any worse… I hissed mentally as I shoved past Lavitalon and outside in the fresh air. "Hey!" I heard him call after me.
"What?" I snapped.
"Look, I'm sorry for dragging you to see Kloud." he apologized. "But I'm worried about you." I sighed and turned around to look at him.
"I'll be fine," I assured him softly, then walking over to him and nuzzling his cheek gently. He was only being a good friend.
"I hope you're right." He whispered, nuzzling me back. "Can you at least let me do as Kloud said?" He asked softly. I only nodded, he smiled a bit and guided me towards the warriors den. "I'll get you something to eat. What do you want?" Lavi asked, grinning.
"It doesn't matter," I replied softly, as he brought me through the threshold of the warriors den. Warmth seeped into my fur as I stepped through, Lavitalon guided me towards my nest where I curled up on the soft cushion like moss.
"Alright. I'll be right back." He purred softly, walking out to get me some food. I was thankful to have a friend like Lavi. Though he could be very irritating at points, his heart was in a good place. Lavi came back not a moment later with a mouse in his mouth. He dropped it in front of me. "There you go." He grinned proudly.
"Thanks Lavi-kun," I said a smile pulling across my lips. I slowly began to eat half of it.
"No problem." The red tom replied, sitting beside me. I began to realize how hungry I was, well why wouldn't I be, I hadn't eaten for days. I practically inhaled the half that I had eaten.
"You need to eat something too…" I fussed, looking up at my friend.
"Nah, I'm fine." He brushed off my comment.
"Please, for me?" I said, trying my best to persuade him. "I know you're hungry, don't try to lie."
"Fine." He sighed playfully. "But only cause you asked me nicely." I grinned at him. Lavitalon lay down next to me and took a bite of the mouse that he'd retrieved for me. I smiled and set my head onto the warm moss, tucking my paws beneath me. I pressed myself up against his warm flank, relishing his heat. He curled around me, nuzzling my forehead gently. I felt my heart flutter happily, feeling myself purr. "Sleep, okay?" I heard Lavi whisper softly. I nodded, too tired to object. Soon, I felt myself slip into the dark abyss of sleep.
…
I woke up in what seemed like the middle of the night. I felt cold. But, when I felt my own chest, it was burning hot… I felt much weaker than I had when I had fallen asleep. Beside me, Lavitalon was fast asleep, his breathing warm against my fur.
I found it hard to breath, as if my lungs were being compressed by something heavy, my body trembled rapidly and I didn't think I could move. My throat felt hot and so did my skin… I however felt cold as if I was trapped without fur in a freezing river. I had the urge to wake Lavi and tell him what was wrong. But I didn't feel right waking him up. I was enough of a pain to him anyways… I'm doing nothing useful to the clan by being sick… I'm useless… I thought softly. I pressed myself against Lavitalon's warm body, trying to get a bit warmer.
It was no use… I felt cold as leafbare, my body shivered violently as I tried to curl up closer to my friend. Squeezing my eyes shut. I stifled a hacking cough, feeling it tickle my throat. The scratchy feeling of my throat was unbearable, I felt my grasp on holding back the cough release, I coughed violently for a few moments until the scratchy feeling in my throat disappeared.
"Hey... something wrong?" I had woken Lavi with my coughing.
"Sorry…" I rasped, resting my head on my paws.
"No it's fine." He yawned. "Something wrong?"
"Just cold…" I muttered, unwilling to make him worry anymore. Lavitalon nuzzled my forehead, then began licking my fur the wrong way in an attempt to warm me up. I was thankful for his attempt, but it didn't seem to work.
"Silken, you're burning hot…" He commented.
"I'm fine…" I said.
"I'll go get Kloud or Johnny." He replied worriedly.
"I-I said I'm f-fine," I stammered, my voice trembling.
"That doesn't sound like 'fine'." Lavi protested.
"I-I am f-fine…" I tried to reassure him but thanks to my stupid stammering voice, I couldn't get to my point.
"I'm getting someone." Lavi's voice sounded a bit panicky.
"But-" I started to object, but he was gone before I could protest. I felt myself turn to another coughing fit, my body heaving with each cough.
Lavi came back with Johnny a minute later, rushing to my side immediately. Johnnypaw yawned sleepily.
"So… What's the problem exactly?" The tired medicine cat apprentice asked.
"She's burning hot and coughing." Lavi explained.
"Alright, I'll have a look." Johnnypaw said stifling another yawn, by now my eyes were squeezed shut. He checked me over, examining how much my condition had worsened through the night.
My entire body trembled, and I let out a stream of rough hems. Johnneypaw shuffled back a bit.
"It seems she has Green Cough." He said. "I'm pretty sure I have the necessary herbs to make a remedy for it. But… Her case is very bad, we should be thankful that it's not Black Cough… She wouldn't be strong enough to survive that." He remarked. "Now, we need to get her to the medicine cat den. Pray to Starclan that she survives the night," the apprentice said gravely. Lavitalon nodded and began carrying me to the medicine cat den. I felt him try his best to carry me, I tried to help by walking, but my legs buckled and made me collapse each time, I felt so frail… So insignificant. I felt him him lay me down gently and nuzzle against my head.
"J-just hang in there…. Please… Stay alive…" He breathed into my ear, I felt his body press up against mine. My heart seemed to grow light as a feather, it faintly fluttered happily, I was probably going to die… But I was happy. Not because of death… But because Lavitalon was here with me.
The urge to nuzzle against him antagonized me, making me use all the strength I had to bring my head against his warm crimson fur. He licked my cheek lightly, laying down beside me. My heart seemed to skip a beat when he licked me. I guess I had been feeling this way for quite a while now… I nestled closer to him when I heard Kloudwing's harsh whisper.
"What do you mean we're out of catmint and feverfew? You were supposed to be getting those!" She spat.
"I couldn't find any, I looked everywhere when I was collecting herbs." Johnneypaw replied softly.
"Well, go look in the extra supply storage, if we're lucky maybe theres a few leaves." Kloudwing hissed irritably. I could feel Lavi stir next to me uneasily.
"D-don't worry… I'll b-be fine…" I rasped softly to him. Resting my cheek on his paw.
"I-I hope you're right." he stammered nervously. I nuzzled my cheek closer, trying to reassure him.
"I w-will be…" I murmured.
"A-Alright." He nodded. I felt more shivers run down my spine. "Are you cold?" I nodded slowly, pressing closer to his warm body and nuzzling my cheek into his side. I felt his tail curl around me and hold me close. My shaky body was so frail. I couldn't take it. I wanted to punch myself for being this weak. But. The cold. The cold was what really got me. I knew I wasn't cold. But I felt cold.
Johnneypaw came back, only a few dried leaves in his maw. "This was all I could find left of the catmint and feverfew…" He muttered.
"That'll be enough though, right?" Lavitalon asked worriedly.
"Of course that won't be enough! She's got green cough! Not to mention these herbs are dry!" Kloud hissed irritably. Lavitalon seemed to wilt under her stern gaze and he went back to trying to keep me warm. I leaned into his efforts, curling up tighter. Johnneypaw and Kloud began to try and find some more herbs or another way to heal me. So far, things weren't going so well.
"Have her eat these," Kloud instructed Lavi, nudging a few of the dried up herbs towards the crimson tom. He nodded, nudging the herbs to me.
"Eat these, alright?" Lavi smiled slightly. I opened a single eye and moaned a bit, curling up tighter. I wasn't hungry, not to mention they were probably going to taste terrible. "Come on. Please, for me?" He added. I sighed and smiled up at him tiredly and nodded.
"F-fine. Only b-because y-you asked me n-nicely." I purred weakly then lapped up the herbs, the only thing that tasted decent was the catnip. The rest of it was putrid and had a very strong plant after taste. In other words. Yuck. I shuddered slightly, making Lavi chuckle teasingly. "ugh…" I groaned.
"Couldn't have been THAT bad." Lavitalon laughed.
"Why d-don't you try it?" I offered.
"Hey, I'm not the one who's sick here." He scolded playfully.
"L-lucky you…" I grumbled, barely able to keep my eyes open.
"You should sleep. You look tired." Lavitalon purred. I nodded thankfully, but… There was one thing I wanted before I slept.
"C-can y-you stay?" I asked softly as my eyelids slowly closed. I could already feel myself slipping away from reality. I needed to know before everything was gone.
"Of course. I'll be here the whole time, I promise." He whispered soothingly. I nodded slowly and allowed myself to sink into oblivion. Sight and hearing fading.
….
My eyes fluttered open, bright colors and light seeped into my vision. I still felt very cold and extremely weak, my lungs still felt compressed which meant I was alive. Still sick. But I was alive. Lavitalon was still by my side. Right where I had left him. He was awake already and seemed to sense my awakening.
"Morning sunshine." He grinned.
"Morning…" I murmured weakly, my vision becoming clearer.
"Sleep well?" Lavi asked.
"Ya…" I yawned shakily.
"Good." He purred. I nuzzled closer to his side, relishing his warmth. He licked my forehead gently. I felt a purr rumble in my throat. Lavitalon smiled. "Are you hungry?" I shook my head. Hunger wasn't any word for what I felt. Sickly. Weak. Half dead. Those were some good descriptions of how I felt. "You need to eat something. I'll get you something." He muttered. I sighed in defeat and allowed him to do as he wanted, resting my chin on my paws. The crimson tom stood and trotted off quickly to get some food. I watched after him, sad to see him go, even though I knew he'd be back quite soon. I didn't want him to go. He came back a moment later with a sparrow in his jaw, dropping it in front of me.
"Thanks…" I said softly, nuzzling him by using a large amount of my energy.
"No problem. But you have to eat it all, alright?" Lavitalon said sternly.
"Fine…" I groaned weakly and I began picking at the sparrow, eating it slowly. Lavi sat beside me to make sure I ate every last bite of the sparrow. I pulled away at the meat of the sparrow, it's tender flavor bathing my tongue. It actually made me feel a bit better. Or at least less tired.
I swallowed piece by piece until it was all gone. "Happy?" I asked looking up slowly at Lavitalon. He smiled widely.
"Very." He purred.
"Then that should k-keep you quiet for a b-bit," I teased.
"Me? Quiet? That'll be the day." Lavitalon laughed.
"So I'm st-stuck with y-your blabbing f-for all et-eternity then?" I teased softly.
"Yep!" He teased back. I gave him a fake groan. To which he laughed at. I felt myself cough a bit. "You alright?" His tone suddenly changed to a worried tone.
"Y-ya." I said clearing my throat.
"Tell me if you feel worse or something alright?" he asked softly.
"I will." I said quietly. He smiled, nuzzling against my neck. I smiled and returned the nuzzle. I began to wonder why he showed this much worry. Could he possibly… Love me? Well… Maybe I'd ask him when we weren't surrounded by sick cats.
"I'm just gonna hope that the old panda doesn't come and make me do something stupid." He mumbled. I laughed lightly.
"Th-this wouldn't b-be the first time," I mused.
"Yep." Lavi sighed. "Sometimes I hate being a Bookman's successor..."
"It's alright…" I said reassuringly, nudging him gently with my nose. He smiled.
"I guess."
"You get t-to know m-more stuff than an-anyone else in the c-clan," I pointed out.
"Yeah, I guess I do." He said proudly.
"That's the spirit," I purred, nudging him gently. He grinned widely. I nuzzled my cheek against his leg weakly, his fur was soft and warm against my cold cheek.
"I found some fresh catmint," the muffled voice of Kloud met my ears. I looked up to see her walk into the den, a clump of lush, green catmint in her jaws.
"That's great." Lavi said happily. Kloudwing deposited a few leaves of catmint at my paws taking the rest for storage. "So, she just has to eat it?" Kloud nodded. "You heard her, Silkendream. Eat up."
"Alright. Alright…" I said exasperatedly, lapping up the tasty herb, the only one that tasted good. The mouth watering flavor bathed my tongue. I swallowed slowly, feeling the green sustenance slide down my throat. My throat hurt, and felt tingly causing a rapid wave of coughs to flow from my jaws. I felt the coughing continue in my throat, not letting it rest. Lavitalon nuzzled against me worriedly.
"How do you feel now?" He asked softly.
"Sick…" I rasped.
"Any better?" He clarified. I shook my head.
"Well, it takes some time to take effect mouse brain." Kloudwing replied boredly.
"Aw shut it you." Lavi grumbled. "You're just as bad as the old panda." Just then, Lavitalon yelped in pain as a tan, panda spotted cat hit him upside the head with his paw roughly.
"What are you doing slacking off Lavitalon?" Bookman hissed angrily. "You were supposed to meet me hours ago."
"Excuse me panda, but I'm taking care of my sick friend." Lavitalon spat in reply.
"Who was it that asked me to become a Bookman?" The panda spotted cat asked, his voice very dry and husky. "You, last time I checked. And yet you don't take it seriously."
"Well, I'm being a good friend!" Lavitalon said indignantly.
"Very well then, you have two more hours, then you come find me. Do I make myself clear?" The old cat asked.
"Fine…" Lavitalon grumbled irritably, his eyes narrowed at the much older cat. Bookman nodded and left, followed by Kloudwing. Lavitalon hissed something under his breath, irritation set in his green eye. I smiled slightly. "I hate him so much right now..." the red furred cat muttered. I nuzzled him gently, my cheek brushing against his fur reassuringly. His frown became a smile at once. "Now you see what I have to deal with." He said jokingly. I smiled and laughed weakly, I felt the cold breeze come in and tug at my long fur. Lavi curled around me, trying to make me warm. "Hey, wanna know something I learned some time ago?" he asked.
"Sure," I rasped.
"So, apparently, there used to be this whole group of two-legs who worshiped cats as gods." Lavi explained.
"Really?" I asked curiously, this was strange, didn't two-legs usually keep them as pets and restrict them 24/7?
"Yeah, it's weird, I know." He replied. "But apparently they had this cat goddess named Bastet and they believed all cats to be a gift from Bastet and they treated them like royalty."
"Huh… N-now th-they just p-pent up c-cats and restrict them a-and make them into s-soft kittypets," I commented weakly.
"Uh huh..." Lavitalon sighed. "Sadly, that group of two-legs died out. Shame really. That sounds kinda cool. Being treated like a god." He added. I nodded in agreement.
"I p-prefer my f-freedom though… I-I don't want to b-be treated like a g-god…" I said, I knew I'd feel useless. I prefer clan life where I can be helpful.
"Well, a lot of those cats were free. They just got worshipped or thanked or... uh... what was it... oh yeah! Two-legs made offerings to them as a way to please Bastet." he explained.
"That's n-no l-life to live b-by…" I murmured.
"I know. But it's better than being a kitty-pet that's for sure." Lavi shrugged.
"I g-guess." I said softly. "H-Hey, can I ask y-you something?" I asked. Lavi nodded.
"Anything," he purred.
"What would h-happen if... say... a member of a clan g-got captured b-by t-two-legs?" I inquired curiously.
"They'd probably be rejected as soon as they came back if they escaped," Lavitalon said.
"R-Rejected?" I asked. "Wh-what do you m-mean?"
"The rest of the clan will assume them soft," Lavitalon explained. "They wouldn't be allowed to use any of the resources that Clan has." I nodded slowly, it was harsh. Very harsh. "But you don't have to worry about those stupid Two-legs. They couldn't find us even if they tried." Lavi grinned.
"O-okay…" I muttered, unsure if that was so true, after all, anything could happen.
"Come on, don't worry about it." Lavitalon pouted slightly. "Why don't you take a nap? I also learned that sleep really helps you get better."
"M-maybe after y-your two h-hours are up…" I said softly, I didn't want to sleep while he was here, I wanted to savor his presence and not waste it with the burden of sleep.
"Fair enough, what do you wanna do then?" Lavi asked.
"N-not sure… Y-you decide," I said.
"Wanna play a guessing game?" he offered. "Only thing I can think of."
"Sure," how bad could it possibly be?
"Okay, let's see... I'll give you three hints of what I'm thinking of. It's a dark color, has wings, and it's sometimes associated with evil." Lavitalon said. I thought for a minute, a bird forming into my mind I thought of a crow and decided to use that as a guess.
"Crow," I said. He grinned widely.
"Ding!" He exclaimed. "Alright, your turn." I felt a smirk come up on my lips.
"It's alive, spotted, and god knows how old," I said thinking of bookman.
"It's the old panda isn't it?" He replied automatically, groaning softly. I laughed and nodded. "Knew it. Right then, hmm... it's big, has four legs, and is a very rare catch as food."
"Deer?" I asked, that was the first thing that came to mind. Lavitalon nodded.
"Yep!" he laughed. "You're good at this."
"Thanks," I laughed, coughing a bit. "original, four, and used to be alive," I said. Knowing he'd never guess this.
"Uh..." Lavi monotonous. "Um... is it some kind of reptile?"
"No-ope," I said with a smirk, coughing right in between the word. "And the funny thing is," I started weakly "you know the answer, you just don't realize it." I mused. The Bookman apprentice thought deeply, then his ears perked up.
"The four clans!" He exclaimed.
"Yeah, that's it!" I giggled. "I knew you could figure it o-out," I laughed feeling a cough flow through my throat. Lavitalon grinned proudly. I nuzzled my cheek against his neck,.
My throat felt extremely dry. But I guess all of our throats did. Thirst nagged at my insides, begging me for some kind of fluids, something to force away the seemingly unquenchable thirst. Lavi looked at me.
"Hey, something wrong?" he asked softly.
"Thirsty, I g-guess we all a-are now though," I said weakly, managing to give him a reassuring smile, it was small, and a feeble attempt, but I somehow managed. I still felt extremely weak, but I didn't want to worry him any more.
"I can try to find something for you to drink. Do you want me to?" He asked.
"No, the rest of the clan needs it more th-than me," I said softly.
"You wanna try sleeping?" Lavi offered. "You look tired." I shook my head I wanted to stay awake until he had to leave. I didn't want to fall asleep while he was still with me. "Don't force yourself. You need to sleep." He scolded.
"I want to stay awake until you have to leave…" I murmured.
"It's okay. I promise I'll be here until the old panda wants me." He purred.
"I know, but I w-want to be awake until you have to leave…" I repeated. I knew he wouldn't leave. But I wanted to savor it while I still could. I knew he wouldn't be gone for a long time, but I still wanted him with me. I actually felt, happy, light, and airy when he was with me, I liked that feeling. I liked him. I didn't want him to go, even if it was only for a few hours. Lavi sighed.
"Fine..." He sighed. "...but if you start falling asleep don't force yourself to stay awake. Got it?" I grinned and nodded, curling up closer to him when I felt the frigid winds buffet my usually warm fur. Lavitalon curled around me tighter, licking my fur the wrong way. I nuzzled into his warmth, feeling my shivers become fewer.
Suddenly, I turned to face him, and before I could ask myself whether or not I should, I rasped my tongue over his cheek in what the two-legs call a kiss. He blinked in confusion, smirked, then kissed me back. I felt shivers run down my spine, but this time, not from fever, or the cold. This was from passion. I smiled and nuzzled my head under his chin, a soft purr rumbling in my throat, I felt my tail intertwine with his. A purr came from him as well as he nuzzled against me. I pressed myself closer to his body, relishing his affection and warmth.
"Hey, wanna know something else I learned?" He asked softly.
"Sure," I said softly.
"It's a story two legs have. It's kind of funny what their stories have in them." he smiled. I smiled and nodded, I already knew two-leg stories were strange, our stories usually consisted of battles and why we have the warrior code and stuff like that.
"Okay," I purred, resting my chin on his paws and leaned against him.
"It's called Little Red Riding Hood." Lavitalon laughed lightly. "Stupid name, right?" I laughed and nodded. "Anyway, wanna hear it?"
"Sure," I laughed, whatever kept him talking, all I wanted to hear was his smooth, warm, honeyed voice, this definitely would keep him talking for a long time. He nodded and took a deep breath.
"Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in the forest with her mother. Her name was Little Red Riding Hood because of the red cape she always wore. One day, her mother told her, 'You're grandmother's sick. Could you take this basket of goodies to her?'" I laughed when he used his best impression of a female voice "Being the kind little girl she was, Little Red agreed and took the basket. 'Just remember to stay on the path and don't talk to strangers.' Her mother reminded her. 'Of course mother.' Little Red said and skipped out of her small cabin and down the forest path. As she walked, she saw some very beautiful flowers. 'I'll pick some for grandma,' she said. 'they'll make her happy for sure.' So she walked off the path, like her mother had specifically told her not to, and began picking flowers. Suddenly, something rustled in the bushes making her jump and look up. A wolf walked out of the bushes, smelling the wonderful scents coming from the basket the girl had. 'Hello there little girl.' the wolf greeted kindly."
"Why is the wolf talking like the two-leg?" I asked, both proving that I was listening, and that I was curious.
"I don't know." Lavi shrugged. "Cause it can?" he offered. I laughed.
"Alright, continue," I mused, nuzzling him with my cheek. He grinned and continued his story.
"Little Red looked at the wolf and curtseyed politely. 'Hello.' She replied. 'What have you got their in your basket?' the wolf asked curiously. 'Goodies for my sick grandma, sir.' Little Red answered. 'Well, be careful on your way there then.' The wolf said kindly. 'Thank you sir.' the little girl smiled and continued on her way. The wolf waited for her to be out of sight, then, he ran down a short cut to the grandma's house, for he knew where she lived. When he reached the house, he knocked on the door. 'Who is it?' the grandma asked. Doing his best impression of a little girl the wolf replied, 'It's me, Little Red Riding Hood, with a basket of goodies for you grandma.' The grandma said, 'Open the latch! I am too weak and cannot get up!' The wolf opened the latch. The door sprang open, and without saying a word he went straight to the grandmother's bed, and devoured her. Then he put on her clothes, dressed himself in her cap, laid himself in bed and drew the curtains."
"That's not morbid at all…" I commented, "also you're female two-leg impression sounds like a dying fox," I teased with a laugh.
"Oh be quiet." Lavitalon pouted. "I'm a male, of course it does." I laughed. "May I continue? It gets even more stupid." he grinned. I nodded trying my best to stifle my laugh when he attempted his female voice once again. "When Little Red came to her grandmother's house she was surprised to find the cottage-door standing open, and when she went into the room, she had such a strange feeling that she said to herself: 'Oh dear! how uneasy I feel today, and at other times I like being with grandmother so much.' She called out: 'Good morning,' but received no answer; so she went to the bed and drew back the curtains. There lay her grandmother with her cap pulled far over her face, and looking very strange. 'Oh! grandmother,' she said, 'what big ears you have!' 'All the better to hear you with, my child,' was the reply. 'But, grandmother, what big eyes you have!' she said. 'All the better to see you with, my dear.' 'But, grandmother, what large hands you have!' 'All the better to hug you with.' 'Oh! but, grandmother, what a terrible big mouth you have!' 'All the better to eat you with!' And scarcely had the wolf said this, than with one bound he was out of bed and swallowed up Red Riding Hood. When the wolf had appeased his appetite, he lay down again in the bed, fell asleep and began to snore very loud. The huntsman was just passing the house, and thought to himself: 'How the old woman is snoring! I must just see if she wants anything.' So he went into the room, and when he came to the bed, he saw that the wolf was lying in it. 'Do I find you here, you old sinner!' said he. 'I have long sought you!' But just as he was going to fire at him, it occurred to him that the wolf might have devoured the grandmother, and that she might still be saved, so he did not fire, but took a pair of scissors, and began to cut open the stomach of the sleeping wolf." Lavi took a deep breath, a bit out of breath from the rant.
"You're right, that is strange," I laughed.
"Oh, I'm not finished quite yet." Lavitalon laughed. "It gets stranger."
"Wow…" I laughed. "Continue."
"When he had made two snips, he saw the little red riding hood shining, and then he made two snips more, and the little girl sprang out, crying: 'Ah, how frightened I have been! How dark it was inside the wolf.' After that the aged grandmother came out alive also, but scarcely able to breathe. Red Riding Hood, however, quickly fetched great stones with which they filled the wolf's belly, and when he awoke, he wanted to run away, but the stones were so heavy that he collapsed at once, and fell dead. Then all three were delighted. The huntsman drew off the wolf's skin and went home with it; the grandmother ate the cake and drank the wine which Red Riding Hood had brought, and revived. But Red Riding Hood thought to herself: 'As long as I live, I will never leave the path by myself to run into the wood, when my mother has forbidden me to do so.' It is also related that once, when Red Riding Hood was again taking cakes to the old grandmother, another wolf spoke to her, and tried to entice her from the path. Red Riding Hood, however, was on her guard, and went straight forward on her way, and told her grandmother that she had met the wolf, and that he had said 'good morning' to her, but with such a wicked look in his eyes, that if they had not been on the public road she was certain he would have eaten her up. 'Well,' said the grandmother, 'we will shut the door, so that he can not come in.' Soon afterwards the wolf knocked, and cried: 'Open the door, grandmother, I am Little Red Riding Hood, and am bringing you some cakes.' But they did not speak, or open the door, so the grey-beard stole twice or thrice round the house, and at last jumped on the roof, intending to wait until Red Riding Hood went home in the evening, and then to steal after her and devour her in the darkness. But the grandmother saw what was in his thoughts." Lavi took another breath and continued. "In front of the house was a great stone trough, so she said to the child: 'Take the pail, Red Riding Hood; I made some sausages yesterday, so carry the water in which I boiled them to the trough.' Red Riding Hood carried until the great trough was quite full. Then the smell of the sausages reached the wolf, and he sniffed and peeped down, and at last stretched out his neck so far that he could no longer keep his footing and began to slip, and slipped down from the roof straight into the great trough, and was drowned. But Red Riding Hood went joyously home, and no one ever did anything to harm her again. The End." Lavitalon grinned. "Stupid, isn't it?"
"Ya, but I enjoyed you telling it to me," I purred smiling up at him.
"Really?" Lavi asked. "I didn't think I was a good story teller."
"You are," I reassured him. "I enjoyed it."
"Thank you." Lavitalon purred, licking my cheek. I grinned, and returned the kiss. I always liked hearing what he had learned, I found it interesting, and he always seemed to enjoy sharing his knowledge with me. "Maybe I'll tell you some more tomorrow." he offered.
"I'd like that very much," I murmured, brushing my muzzle against his. Lavi grinned, nuzzling against my forehead.
"Apprentice, I told you to come meet me. It's been over three hours." An cranky, elder like voice came from the door.
"Oh quit being such a party pooper Panda." Lavitalon grumbled irritably. That remark had earned him a smack on the back of his head.
"No. You need to be responsible and manage your time wisely. Instead of trying to get yourself a mate twentyfour seven, I will not allow it," Bookman scolded. Lavitalon stood.
"I do not try to get a mate twentyfour seven!" He shouted indignantly.
"A bookman doesn't need a mate, they shouldn't get mates, it interferes with what we do," Bookman replied, retaining his sharp voice. The crimson tom scoffed.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever." He grumbled.
"Now, I have very important things to teach you, come." Bookman said sharply, turning and heading towards the entrance.
"See you later." Lavi whispered so that only I could hear, before quickly following Bookman. I watched as he left, then smiled, curling up tighter, even though I was shivering to death and felt weak as hell… I was happy... cold, sick, weak... but happy. I nestled into the warm moss where Lavi had been lying, his still fresh scent soothing me until I felt myself get pulled into sleep. Darkness overwhelming me.
…
I awoke, feeling oddly warm. I soon realized this was because someone was curled around me. I opened my eyes, everything was blurry, and dark, until I realized it was night. I yawned as the colors began becoming more sharp and normal. I looked next to me seeing Lavitalon, he was awake but looked highly irritated by something. He was muttering insults and curses under his breath, glaring at the air.
"What's wrong Lavi-kun?" I asked, yawning quietly, the haze of sleep still hung over me, making me a bit drowsy. His glare vanished and he looked at me in surprise.
"Oh nothing." He sighed. "Just Bookman being stupid."
"If you don't mind me asking, he's being stupid about what?" I asked curiously.
"Oh just about me not being able to have a mate because I'm training to be a bookman and it's gonna interfere with my duties." He ranted agrilly. I nodded in understanding, why was he so upset about not being able to have a mate?
"Have you got an interest in a someone?" I asked, curious about what his answer would be. He paused, getting really flustered.
"O-Oh, yeah. Yeah, I do." he coughed awkwardly.
"Who?" I asked softly, eager, but not eager at the same time, it's kind of like how you feel when you're waiting for a prize to go out, kind of like you're really hoping it's you and wanting to know if it's you, but not wanting it to go to someone else.
"W-well... sh-she's really nice, and a really good fighter and hunter." Lavi replied. "And she's also beautiful."
"Lenalee?" I asked tilting my head curiously, realizing it couldn't be me. I wasn't beautiful… I wasn't really a good fighter, or a good hunter unless someone was with me...
"No." Lavi shook his head. "Allen's pretty much claimed her."
"So then who is it?" I asked curiously.
"I'll give you two more guesses." He grinned teasingly.
"Miranda?" I guessed, there weren't that many females amongst the clan. "Lou Fa?" I asked, I was pretty sure those were the only few female exorcists I knew. He shook his head both times.
"No, it's you." Lavitalon grinned timidly.
"M-me?" I stammered in shock, "but I'm not any of those things, I'm not a good fighter, I'm not a good fighter, and I'm not even close to beautiful…" I murmured.
"Yeah you are." He purred. "You're all of those things. Especially beautiful."
"I-I am?" I asked, feeling a bit childish with asking so timidly.
"Of course you are." Lavitalon smiled, licking my cheek. I smiled.
"Thank you…" I murmured rubbing myself against him. I felt my heart flutter, I knew I liked him the same way, but I was too nervous to tell him the truth. He purred, nuzzling against me. "Lavi…." I started.
"Yeah?" he asked softly.
"I…. I…. I love you…." I muttered, gazing into his green eye.
"I love you too." Lavi whispered. I felt my heart grow lighter than air, grinning I planted a kiss on his cheek, bringing myself up close to him and nuzzling him happily tell me this isn't a beautiful dream… I thought to myself. "Are you feeling better?" He asked suddenly.
"Only a little," I said softly.
"Well, it's an improvement at least." he smiled. I nodded and nuzzled closer, bringing my tail around his and purring softly. Lavi smiled, curling up around me.
"How long have you liked me in that way?" I felt myself ask.
"For a while now." He replied.
"How much of a while?" I pried curiously.
"Two... Three years." He said slowly. "Somewhere around that time."
"Well, I've liked you for about that time as well, I think a year or two longer," I mused. He laugh in amusement, grinning widely.
"I'm glad." Lavi purred happily. I nodded in agreement.
"Wait, so Bookman said you couldn't have a mate?" I asked.
"Yeah," He sighed.
"What are we gonna do about it?" I asked softly.
"We can runaway." He shrugged.
"Runaway?" I asked, unsure if I was hearing this correctly, then again… I would runaway with him…. He nodded in reply. "How'd ya suppose we can do that now that I'm sick and all?" I asked bashfully, wishing I wasn't sick. I did really want to run away with him. But I knew I wasn't strong enough.
"We'll wait then." Lavi muttered, grinning. "It'll be okay, I promise."
"Alright," I said softly, "we need to keep this a secret though, the running away thing, they'll never let us leave if they find out," I murmured, making sure Kloudwing and Johnnypaw hadn't heard us.
They hadn't heard, they slept peacefully, ears against their heads in the opposite direction of us.
"Don't worry. I will." Lavi replied. I smiled and curled up closer, knowing I'd be better soon, I wasn't so weak or feverish anymore. I rolled over onto my back and raised my head, rasping my tongue across his chin lovingly. He chuckled softly, licking my forehead. I smiled bringing my cheek closer to his warm body which protected me from the harsh, bitter winds. "Go back to sleep okay? We'll talk more in the morning." He murmured.
"Alright... I want you to go to sleep too, you need it more then me, I've got all day tomorrow to sleep," I said a bit fretfully.
"Yes ma'am." He said teasingly.
"G'night Lavi-kun, love ya," I whispered softly, giving him a goodnight kiss before rolling back onto my stomach and curling up against the curve of his belly.
"Love ya, Silky-chan." He replied. I felt his muzzle right next to mine, and his tail wrap around my body, pulling me closer to his warm muscular body. I felt darkness envelope me, but happiness filled me to the brim as I fell asleep right next to the tom I loved.
….
I woke up feeling Lavitalon's warmth still pressed against my pelt, it was then I realized that we had both admitted to loving each other. I smiled, my heart flooding with the warmth of love, I was still sick, thirsty and weak, but not as much as yesterday, a pile of herbs lay at my paws, meaning the medicine cats didn't want to wake me, so they placed the herbs there for when I woke up, I lapped the bitter herbs up with my tongue, shoveling them into my maw. Wrinkling my my nose at the pungent scent and flavor, then I looked back at Lavi, his eye was closed, his breathing was soft and peaceful.
I felt myself smile and curl up weakly, my back fitting perfectly into the curve of his belly, I nuzzled my cheek into his warm shoulder. I purred my heart feeling so light and happy the purr rumbling from my throat wasn't forced, it came naturally because of how happy I felt. Lavitalon opened his eye a sliver, smiling tiredly at me.
"Hey there, gorgeous." he purred. I smiled up at him.
"G'morning handsome…" I murmured, brushing my cheek against his own, his fur was soft and warm. Lavi chuckled lightly, yawning tiredly. I stretched, feeling the muscles in my legs and back become more comfortable, I was starting to become restless, I wanted to get up in run but I still felt too weak.
"Hungry? Want me to get you something?" Lavitalon asked.
"Nah, I'm just restless," I said with a yawn, rolling onto my back.
"Well, I'm starving." He yawned.
"Then you should eat," I said licking his cheek tenderly. Lavitalon smiled, standing and stretching.
"I'll be right back." the tom said.
"Alright," I purred. He trotted away quickly to go get food. I yawned and sat up, feeling uncomfortable, I felt cold but I needed to stretch my legs and run, though I knew Lavitalon wouldn't let me because that would probably get me sicker than I already was, I also knew he'd probably scold me for sitting up. With nothing better to do, I began smoothing the fur, washing myself at the same time. I did really need a bath, this was a bit over due, my fur was a mess.
I looked up from my grooming when I saw Lavitalon re-entering the room. He had a plump mouse hanging by the tail from his mouth. He dropped the fuzzy brown mouse, plopping down next to me.
"Hey Lavi-kun," I greeted, my gaze shifted towards the crimson tom.
"Hey, looky what I found." He grinned. I tilted my head in question. "A mouse. Haven't had one of these in like forever. Allen's always gotten to them first." Lavitalon pouted.
"Allen always eats everything," I laughed with a grin I gently licked his ear and layed back down.
"And yet he is thin as heck!" Lavi scoffed, taking a bite of the mouse. I nodded in agreement laughing. "How do you think he does it?" He asked.
"I'm not quite sure, I guess he works it all of whenever he uses his innocence to fight or whatever his parasitic innocence takes a lot of energy out of people." I explained taking a guess. Lavitalon shrugged as he ate half of the mouse, then he pushed the other half of the mouse towards me. "No, you should eat the rest, it's your mouse, plus, you need to keep up your strength, I don't want you starving because of me," I said reassuringly.
"And you're sick." He said, pushing the mouse closer to me. "You need to eat more."
"But Lavi, you need your strength, I don't," I replied.
"It'll help you get better." Lavi pouted. "Please? For me?"
"Fine, I'll eat a little, but you have to eat the rest!" I said with a sigh. I gingerly took the mouse and started eating it. He laughed and nodded. I ate it slowly, my stomach growled as I ate, but I didn't want to eat the rest of it. I wanted him to have most of it. The whole time, Lavitalon watched me. Not in a stalkerish way, but more in a loving manner. I felt the delicious flavors of the mouse bathe my tongue. It was delicious, no wonder while Allenclaw always ate them out of stock…
I ate about half of the half Lavi had given me and pushed it back towards him, he nudged it back towards me and gave me a look that said finish it. I sighed and ate the rest of the mouse begrudgingly. Of course I was still hungry, but I couldn't help that, and I certainly wasn't going to tell Lavitalon I was still hungry, we all were during this season and we couldn't afford me eating more than my share. Lavitalon stretched, arching his back with a small groan.
"Why am I so sore?" He asked, more to himself than to me.
"Cause, it's leafbare and the cold and wet of the moss makes us all stiff, not to mention you were stuck with gramps yesterday," I replied seeing those could have something to do with it.
"Oh. Yeah." He replied timidly.
"Something wrong?" I asked softly, nudging his shoulder gently with my muzzle.
"No. Everything is awesome." He grinned. I smiled and nuzzled him. The restless feeling in my legs had become unbearable.
"I wanna go outside and run…" I moaned, though I knew perfectly well that he wouldn't let me.
"Well, you can't run. Wanna try walking?" He offered, surprising me.
"Yes!" I said excitedly, grinning I stood up quickly.
"Okay." Lavi laughed, standing and shaking himself slightly. I smiled, and started walking, feeling energy flow back into my muscles. Walking turned to trotting. Lavi was right behind the whole time, watching over me. I burst into the clearing, happily, and half ran half trotted. "Hey, Silkendream, wanna play a game?" he asked.
"Yes!" I said happily. I didn't really feel so weak anymore, now it was mainly just feeling sick, I of course didn't care about that at the moment.
"Alright then, let's play Hide and Go Seek." He grinned.
"Hah! You realize you don't blend in with the snow at all right?" I laughed teasingly, giving him a playful smirk.
"Oh, I have my ways." He smirked back.
"I'm sure you do," I purred.
"I'll seek first. Kay?" Lavi said, grinning widely.
"Alright," I said with a smirk. "No cheating! You hear?"
"Yes ma'am." Lavitalon smirked, covering his eyes with his paws and beginning to count. I rolled around in the snow feeling the cold against my fur and skin to disguise my scent, then, I sprinted at full speed into the woods feeling my paws pound against the snow and adrenaline pump through my body, my tail dragging behind me and pushing the snow over my paw prints, I ran through the woods winding around trees until I found my destination. The old abandoned twoleg barn.
Slowly, I crept inside, raising my nose to smell the air to make sure nothing was in here, the scent of old hay and fresh mice were all that came to my nose. I hid behind a stack of hay, waiting for Lavitalon to come find me. Maybe we could hunt some mice later, this place seemed full of them. I knew this was the last place Lavitalon would look because of my fear of two legs and twoleg places, but for now, I bundled my fear up, and crawled into the warmth of the slightly pokey hay, hiding myself deep within. The musky smell of hay was deep in my nose.
Much later I detected Lavitalon's scent coming into the barn and I hid deeper. I knew he probably had somehow caught my scent against some trees, but, my scent had been disguised by the musky odor of the hay, not to mention my fur was like camouflage against these surroundings. I heard him searching the barn, coming closer and closer. I looked through the many pieces of straw seeing the tom searching around, smelling in various places, trying to pinpoint my location.
"Come out come out wherever you are." I heard him laugh. But I stayed in my spot, tempted to stalk up on him and pounce on him. But I didn't, not until he was close enough so I could scare the shit out of him. Carefully, I got into a pouncing position, careful not to make any of the straw stir. The crimson tom walked closer to my position, his back turned to me as he scanned his surroundings carefully. I smirked widely, getting ready to pounce. He sighed, and looked around more, than at the entrance, right as he was about to head for the exit, I leapt from the pile landing on top of him, making the tom collapse, not in a painful way but more in a shocked way. "What the hell?!" He cried indignantly, looking up at me. "Nearly gave me a freaking heart attack!" I smirked in response and licked the top of his head, flattening his risen fur.
"Oh but it was all too tempting," I purred, still pinning him down, I felt his muscles under my paws.
"Oh ha ha freaking ha." He grumbled. "Can you get off now?"
"What? Don't toms usually like being in such close quarters with a female?" I purred devilishly, feeling extra playful today.
"Yeah, but not like this." Lavi mumbled.
"Oh fine," I sighed, getting off of him, and sitting on the floor, my fluffy tail wrapping around my paws, while I looked at him, awaiting for him to get up. He got up, grinned mischieviously and pounced on me. I yelped and quickly leapt underneath him before he could land, him missing me by only a rabbit length.
"Ah, almost got ya." He laughed.
"Almost," I purred, smirking. I wondered if he'd attempt that again, preparing just in case he did, after all, we were safe here from being chastised by Bookman.
"I'll get you next time. Just you watch." Lavitalon said confidently. I laughed and bowed. I figured I'd make myself vulnerable to give him a chance. "Anywho, it's your turn to seek."
"Alright," I purred "don't get yourself stuck in a situation this time though." I warned playfully, trotting up to him and rasping my tongue over his cheek.
"You got it." He purred in reply, licking my cheek. I smiled and then closed my eyes, paying attention to his pawsteps and what he did. I heard him run away, back towards the forest. I grinned, counting quietly to myself. I knew that what we were going through wouldn't be the same for long, soon, we wouldn't have to deal with Bookman on our tails about keeping us apart. Soon… We would run away from it all. Soon, we would be together...