Who [Wants] to L I V E {Forever}

[Swifthoof]

And we can run forever..

A lone shape wandered through the trees, muscles rippling underneath a dark sorrel coat. Chocolate pools stared straight ahead as his ears were filled with the sound of his hooves striking the ground as he walked and the occasional tweet of a bird in a tree. No, he didn't know where he was going, nor did he care. A cougar could have pounced on him and he would have gladly rolled over on his back and offer the cat a free meal.

A small snort of amusement escaped the stallion at the mere thought and the corners of his lips twitched to form the slightest of smiles. He could just imagine the scene and see the confusion on the felines face before it ate him. Not a very pleasant scene, but at least it would cure the ache in his heart. For the first time in his life, he felt so..lonely. It was almost unbearable. Of course, he was in a herd and so how could he be lonely? For some reason, he didn't know, but he could feel it like a gaping hole in his stomach as though he hadn't eaten in days, but there was plenty of fresh grass to eat. After all, it was spring and to some, spring usually meant rebirth, but the stallion had never felt so empty, he was about ready to jump off a cliff to ease his pain. No need to go to the extreme.. his conscience whispered. He blinked in surprised. Did horses even have consciences or was he going mad? You're not going mad.. it whispered again.

Swifthoof shook his head so hard that his light brown mane flew from side to side on his neck before settling back on his pelt. Tossing his head, he kept on walking, stopping now and again as if his so called 'conscience' was suddenly going to materialize before him and talk. No way can that happen he thought to himself, snorting in disbelief. His thoughts then wandered over to his brother, Itachi and he felt dread come over him. If Swifthoof was light, then Itachi was surely darkness. There was nothing in the chestnut but darkness, not even a sliver of light could get through his evil brother.

A small sigh escaped him before he increased his pace to a light trot, lightly jumping over fallen logs and branches. Maybe a run could soothe his thoughts and so, he increased his stride to a canter then a gallop as he ran through the forest, kicking up grass and dirt in his wake as his surroundings became a blur of green and brown. His name wasn't Swifthoof for nothing. Of course, you're not so Mr. Goody Goody Two Hoofs either.. whispered the voice again. Shut up he told it then blinked in surprise. Dear Tarva..I think I am going mad he thought, shaking his head. Of course, it was common sense that he had to keep his eyes on the trail in front of him, but in that brief moment, his hooves then collided with a fallen branch and he was then sent flying through the air and landed on the ground quite hard. Nice one whispered his conscience. I said shut up thought the stallion as he laid his head on the grass, trying to regain himself.

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[~Symphony~]

He liked the forest. It was soothing to him. Peaceful. Tranquil. The elder decided to take a stroll for the day. Munching some grass and taking his time. Thats when he heard something. He know them as hoofbeats. A horse trotting from what he could tell.

Bandit lifted his head from his little snack and moved to see who was making the noise. He watched as the fellow herd member make his embarrassing tumble to the ground. Bandit nickered to the fallen chestnut in concern he may have been hurt. He made his way over Swifthoof as fast as his old legs would allow. Bandit was not much of a talker mostly a whinny here or there but asked, "Are you hurt?"

Bandit looked into the eyes of the horse on the ground. They seemed sad, conflicted. Confused. It pained him to see a younger horse that way. He wanted to help him any way he could. Only if the horse allowed him.

[Swifthoof]

For a while, the young stallion lay there, his chest rising and fallin in even breaths as his eyes flicked around to see if anyone saw his rather embarrasing fall. He knew that if any of his friends heard that he had been outdone by a simple tree branch, he would never hear the end of their teasing. Letting out a snort, he raised his head and then nearly jumped out of his skin to see an elder standing in front of him.

Are you hurt?

[/color]

Was he? Slowly, the horse rose to his hooves, checking to see if anything hurt as he moved. A soft snort escaped his nostrils and he tossed his head in satisfaction. He was alright. 'Cept your pride, you klutz[/color] murmured the voice in his mind. Swifthoof shook his head in hoped to rid himself of the annoying little voice. Not that it did much. Realizing that he hadn't answered the elder's question, he soon turned toward the other horse, a small smile crossing his face. No, I'm okay..just wasn't looking where I was going that's all he answered, tossing his head again to get rid of any dirt that managed to worm its way into his mane. [/blockquote][/size]