An Apology to the Air

[[R].ebel]

OOC: So, I know we kinda died, but I'm hoping someone is still out there to post. I brought one of my charries 'back to life' so to speak as his death was never really mentioned. It seems my muse has returned and I would like to post. My apologies if this is a problem to anyone, as I mean to cause no racket.

Bitter wind bit the air as the wintery weather flowed over the land. It rippled the pool of water, which had somehow been saved of freezing from this cold weather. A red form stood before the water, seeming to give a reddish glow in the water where his reflection also stood. It was Shetan, a loner of the lands, having once sought out the Cimarron herd, but could not bring himself to stay. The herd seemed nice enough, but it was one mare who had captured his heart and Shetan could not allow himself to get her caught in the evil that resided within him. Sorrowfilled eyes reflected in the pool of water, but as he stared longer, a frightening form appeared as his reflection... his own father, with his fiery tinted eyes of hatred. Shetan snorted in surprise, back stepping away from the water, forcing the image away. 'I am nothing like you!' The red stallion shook his head with closed eyes, trying to forget the father that controlled him, but it was surprisingly easy when he thought of one mustang... Katori.

"I'm sorry... Katori... I'm sorry."

[Swifthoof]

Butterfly, fly away

The cold wind bit at the mare's pelt as she trotted along a small path, her raven colored mane and tail thrown back as she moved. The mare was of a stocky build, rather a little bit smaller than your typical mustang, but she prided herself on her speed and agile moves. No horse could beat her in a race besides her close friend, Swifthoof whose name proved true for the fast footed stallion.

Snorting, she tossed her head back and scented the air. Nothing came except the usual smells of the land..except for a certain stallion. Her emerald eyes blinked in surprise at the scent of Shetan, the only horse who was capable of stealing her heart. Before that hot-headed stallion came along, Katori refused to be with any other colt or stallion and even if she did, some thought that her free spirit and fiery temper was too much to handle and so they set her free again. Then Shetan came and she often found it surprising how easily she was swept away by the red stallion who was the only one that could match her temper or maybe even surpass it.

Getting off of Memory Lane, she snorted and followed the scent to find Shetan staring in a pool of water before he backed up in surprise as though he was frightened of what he saw there. Narrowing her eyes, she debated whether or not to go down there and see what was wrong with him. She knew about the spirit of his father and how it would sometimes take over and turn him into someone completely different.

Her black tipped ears then pricked to his words and she frowned in confusion and before she could stop herself she soon spoke. Sorry about what, Shetan? she asked, taking a step forward. Thinking before speaking wasn't really her strong suit.

[[R].ebel]

Ears pricked to a sound behind the red stallion. At first, he believed it was just his mind playing tricks on him. Surely that couldn't be Katori for real... could it? Another moment passed before Shetan allowed himself to question the voice, craning his head to see that it truely was that mare; that beautiful mare. Shetan looked at her with slight surprise, as if he hadn't been expecting her. An eeire quiet followed as his words had been lost to his mind. It took him quite a moment in the bitter cold to remember her question. Oh yes, about what.

So much to say, Shetan didn't know where to begin. He was sorry for so much. Sorry that he still wouldn't let her close enough to his heart that he really wanted. Sorry his father was there to try to prevent his happiness. Sorry for his continual pushing away. Though she knew him and knew of the evil soul within him, she still pursued him. Shetan couldn't say that he didn't mind. In fact, Shetan was starting to realize that it seemed no matter what he was or what happened to him, there she was. She was there for him. So what was he sorry about? It was all summed up in one word that Shetan allowed to be his answer, his voice just above a whisper.

"Me..."

Shetan was sorry about himself and how it seemed he was the only one holding back from Katori. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized he really didn't want to, no matter what was going on beneath his soul. Shetan was good in his heart and had a strange sense of power as he stood looking at Katori. Yes, she was his strength against his weakness.

[Swifthoof]

Her tail flicked patiently as she saw him look at her in surprise as though he wasn't really expecting her to be there. As if he thought she was an illusion or just merely his mind playing tricks on him. But there she was as real as ever, her green eyes full of question as she awaited his answer in the cold wind. For a moment, the stallion looked lost and she almost wanted to trot forward and comfort him, but she stayed put. It was time to just listen.

Me..

It was just one word, but she understood. He had tried numerous times to push her away, but the mare had stood her ground and still pursued him which was indeed a first for her. But she wanted to take care of him, comfort him and most of all love him and even if he pushed her away, she was still there, no matter what problem.

A few moments passed between them as she tried to think of what to say, but there was nothing in her mind but a blank slate. Her eyes traveled to the flame colored stallion as though he had the answer written somewhere on him. A sigh escaped her muzzle and before she could take control of her own body, she started moving toward him until she was right beside him. I forgive you she answered, her voice soft as she looked over at him, not knowing if those were the right words. There was a lot she wanted to say, but it was all jumbled up in her mind that she wouldn't know where to begin even if she tried and so she settled for those three words.

[[R].ebel]

Silence followed for an achingly long moment for Shetan. Every hearbeat that passed in that moment, felt like a sharp pain in his chest. As if expecting her to leave, the red stallion turned away from her, returning his gaze to the pool that was a few feet ahead of him. Shetan was so caught in his empty thoughts, he did not realize that Katori had moved beside him, until she spoke.

'I forgive you'

The fiery red head of his slowly whipped around, surprised at her words, and yet relieved. It was clear to Shetan that no matter what, she would be there. Shetan just had concern for her life. When his father desired to take over; there was no stopping it, and that could endanger Katori. Did she realize that? Of course, Shetan knew she was more than capable of taking care of herself, as she was quite an impressive fighter, but still, would she have what it takes to willingly fight him if ever brought to that? Shetan hoped that he would never do such a thing; though his father surely would. Seeking the comfort he needed, Shetan rested his head just a breaths length away from hers, eyes unable to meet her own.

"You've seen what I am; what I can become, and yet you still pursue me. Do you realize the danger in that? I love you, Katori, but I'm afraid for you life. I don't want anything to happen to you because of me... Even knowing this, will you still pursue me?"

[Swifthoof]

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the stallion that she held dear whip his head around to look at her in surprise as though her answer wasn't what he expected. As though during the silence, he had expected her to turn tail and simply walk away. But she wasn't like that. If it was under any other circumstance, she probably would have smiled and laughed and tugged at his flame colored mane. But it wasn't.

Of course, she knew about the dangers of being with him and how that at any time and in any place, his father could take over and attack her. But she didn't care. She could handle herself, no matter what happened and she knew that Shetan knew it. They had already been through too much together to prove that. And even if it came to a point that they would be a fight where only one would be left standing, she would be ready although she prayed that would never happen and they could at least have a few sane moments together.

Green eyes watched him as he moved his head just a breaths away from her own, but he was avoiding her gaze. She searched his face and for a brief moment she wanted to hug him tight and never let him go, but she held back from doing so.

You've seen what I am; what I can become, and yet you still pursue me. Do you realize the danger in that? I love you, Katori, but I'm afraid for you life. I don't want anything to happen to you because of me... Even knowing this, will you still pursue me?

A small whoosh of air escaped her muzzle as she let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. Turning her head to look at him, she gently rested her forehead against his, a soft nicker of comfort emmanating from her.

I don't care about the danger. I love you too much to care about that, Shetan. And I don't care about the spirit of your father. I'll always love you no matter what you say or do. she said, her voice merely a whisper as she nuzzled his forehead gently, awaiting what he would do next.

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[[R].ebel]

'I don't care about the danger. I love you too much to care about that, Shetan. And I don't care about the spirit of your father. I'll always love you no matter what you say or do.'

The warmth of her touch sent a wave of comfort through Shetan, making him feel quite at peace. It was amazing how she could tame his fiery spirit with just a touch, or a word, or even just a soft gaze. His father had no power over her, and that gave such a feeling of strength in Shetan. A smile flickered on the maw of the stallion, unable to hide the simple fact that there was no way he was going to get rid of her, not that he ever did want to. Shetan nuzzled the side of her check, nipping a bit of her forelock in play.

"There's no way I can scare you off, is there?"

A light laugh followed his joking words, although he knew it was true. Her she was and here she would be for all eternity, for that he was sure of.

"There's no doubt in mind that you love me, Katori. You've showed your love just by staying with me through thick and thin. I think... I'm ready to love you, as I think I should have to begin with."

No longer did he want to hold back or push Katori away, Shetan wanted to be with her forever and always. He threw his head over her neck to embrace her in a 'hug' of sorts, as a mustang can't really use his hooves to hug.

[Swifthoof]

She waited patiently in the silence, her eyes closing briefly as a gentle breeze blew through the area, making his forelock tickle her pelt. At his touch to her cheek, her eyes opened and she couldn't help but bring a smile to her face at his words.

There's no way I can scare you off, is there?

A small laugh escaped her maw as she gently nibbled his forelock, pulling some of the strands in play. Nope she answered, grinning as her green eyes glimmered in a teasing manner. She was glad to see him so alive since it had been a while since she saw him smile or laugh.

There's no doubt in mind that you love me, Katori. You've showed your love just by staying with me through thick and thin. I think... I'm ready to love you, as I think I should have to begin with

Her eyes couldn't help but widen slightly as he spoke and she couldn't help but smile in joy. As he threw his head around her neck in a hug, she hugged him back, nuzzling his neck. It's about time... she said, chuckling while she playfully nibbled at his flame colored pelt.

[/size]

[[R].ebel]

'It's about time.'

Shetan chuckled at her words, nipping at her playfully. He broke from their embrace, nudging her playfully, like a young, lovestruck colt. But as he caught sight of his reflection in the pool, the thought of his father soon corrupted his play for a moment. He couldn't help but think about what lay beneath. 'No! I won't worry about that.' Shetan grinned, trying to pass off the moment as nothing.

"Come on. Let's go see if we can't find some better grazing around here. I'm sure there has to be something good to eat below this snow."

Shetan, trying to be a gentle-stallion, offered a hoof foreward to 'lead' Katori out towards the direction he believe good grazing could be. There was a grove of trees nearby that would most likely offer a sheltering place for grass to harbor.

[Swifthoof]

A light laugh escaped the mare as he nipped her in play and she returned the nip, a grin appearing on her face. Then for a heartbeat, she watched as Shetan looked at the pool, his reflection staring back at him and she wondered if he felt the spirit of his father wanting to take over. No..not now..please..Not when things are starting to turn for the better she thought, keeping her concerned eyes on the fiery stallion in front of her.

Then a heartbeat later, he grinned as though he was trying to pass the moment off, but she had inkling that something was going on deep within Shetan. But now, she knew that it was no time to guess and that it was time to look on the bright side of things.

Come on. Let's go see if we can't find some better grazing around here. I'm sure there has to be something good to eat below this snow

His words soon brought her back and she watched as he raised a hoof to point in the direction of the said grazing. Turning her head, she saw a small enclosement of trees and from the looks of it, it looked like it could hold a pretty good stock of grass beneath all the white, icy powder. A small smile crossed her muzzle and she nodded before trotting off toward the trees, her tail flicking in play.

Stepping in the shadows of the trees, she looked down at the snow, her hoof carefully scraping away the ice crystals until she found the stalks of green that she was looking for. She grinned before calling Shetan over.

Come on, Shetan! There's plenty of grass! she said, before she lowered her head and pulled the stalks upward and into her mouth. Ah, delicious.

[/size]

[[R].ebel]

The red stallion grinned as Katori trotted by him, her tail flicking in a playful motion. He watched her as she came to a stop below one of the trees, his soft ever-burning gaze never leaving her. Shetan couldn't help but watch every move she made, entranced by the way she moved and everything she did.

Come on, Shetan! There's plenty of grass!

The stallion was snapped out of his trance when Katori's voice drawed him out. He nickered a happy nicker and took to a short gallop to where she stood. Anchoring his haunches down, Shetan slid across the snow and came to a prancing stop, grinning. He looked where Katori had found a quite delicious peice of grazing and used his own hoof to widen the 'hole' in the snow, revealing further grass to eat. Taking a bite, he realized how long he had been putting off his hunger due to what he was dealing with. Shetan was hungry!

"Ah, a wonderful meal, with wonderful company."

Shetan winked a firey eye at Katori, grinning with a mouthful of grass sticking from between. He quickly finished them off, laughing off the embarrassment.

[Swifthoof]

You make me crazier

She watched as Shetan watched her and she couldn't help but smirk inwardly. As he galloped over to her, she couldn't help but notice the way his muscles moved beneath his fire colored pelt. Yes, he was strong and powerful and most of all, hers. A small smile crossed her muzzle at the thought of it and she sometimes still couldn't believe that they were actually still together despite all they were through.

As Shetan pranced to a stop next to her, she grinned, her emerald eyes glinting in amusement. What a clown..but he's my clown she thought, watching Shetan widen the hole in the snow to reveal even more of those precious green stalks. Some had yellowed and turned brittle, but it was better than nothing.

Ah, a wonderful meal, with wonderful company.

At his words, the bay couldn't help but roll her eyes in play before she winked a green eye back at him, chuckling. Seeing the grass between his teeth, she laughed and playfully pulled at his forelock. I wouldn't have it any other way with such handsome company she responded, nudging his shoulder gently with her nose.

[/size]

[[R].ebel]

I wouldn't have it any other way with such handsome company.

If he could have blushed, Shetan surely would have. He grinned sheepishly at her words, havine never been called handsome before. Shetan smiled softly at her touch, reaching his nose around to nuzzle her and then he got to thinking. About him and her, them, thier future. What did it hold? What did she want?

"Katori? What do see in our future? Me and you. Where we will go together? I guess the actually question would be, what do you want?"

Question filled the stallion's eyes as he looked at her, wanting to know what it is she wanted. Shetan wanted to make her happy and wanted to try his very best for her.

[Swifthoof]

Green orbs twinkled in delight at his response as she nuzzled him back, a soft, tender nicker escaping her muzzle.

Katori? What do see in our future? Me and you. Where we will go together? I guess the actually question would be, what do you want?

As he spoke, she raised her head to see his eyes filled with question and she wondered why he had brought it up. Not it was a bad thing; the bay had often thought about the future, but she knew that she couldn't predict what would happen next. It would just come. Her eyes looked to the trees beyond in thought as her tail flicked in wonder. She knew she wanted to be with Shetan, but she couldn't help but wonder how much time they had left. Don't think like that she thought as her gaze went back to the stallion.

I don't know what the future can hold...but I do know that I just want to be with you she answered, her voice soft as a small smile crossed her muzzle and she hoped that the line wouldn't sound so cliche, but she knew that it was the truth.

[/size]

[[R].ebel]

I don't know what the future can hold...but I do know that I just want to be with you.

The red stallion couldn't help but smile a satisfied smile. It brought such comfort to know she was there for him through thick and thin, and Shetan knew he would be there for her for anything and everything. He reached down to grab another mouthful of grass, quite satisfied with the answer. Lifting his head slowly, Shetan looked to Katori from the corner of his eye.

"Katori, you are my future. Without you, I would have none."

'I am your only future, Shetan... You will do my bidding... whether you want to, or not.

'No... I will not.'

'You will have no choice!'

Shetan whinnied, leaping away from Katori as his body rushed with heat, his eyes blazing wild. The red stallion reared, letting out a feirce neigh as hooves pawed the air, threatening to strike any beast that came near.

"Ka... Katori.... Run!"

Tucking his head, Shetan forced his body to the ground, fighting his father's spirit with every fiber in his mind. 'Kill her! She will only get in my way!' 'NO! I will not! I love her, father! I love her!' Shetan neighed, rearing again, hooves striking out, aimed for Katori, but the red stallion slung his head away from her, forcing his body to the ground again, nearly falling, but he managed to catch himself. His body burned, his own blood feeling as if it was boiling beneath his skin. Legs trembled as every muscle in his body went tense, his veins showing through his red pelt. Teeth clenched tightly shut, as nostrils flared. Like a demonic form he stood, his back to Katori, hollow eyes looking away from her, unable to meet her gaze.