An Apology to the Air

[[R].ebel]

Shetan was a bit afraid that Lucian would return for another attack, but it seemed he had detoured the stallion by his words. The red stallion watched as the stallion left, burning eyes never leaving him. Only when Shetan was sure the stallion was gone did he relax, his legs nearly buckling under him again, but he forced himself to stay standing, using Katori's aid as she stood by his shoulder. What a happy family.. Ears pricked to her words, Shetan sensing her sarcasm, not that he really needed to after the events that had just taken place. An exhausted sigh left his lungs as Shetan took a moment to breath, his head coming rest on Katori's neck. He thought a long moment on what she had said, knowing the feeling of a 'happy' family, as Katori had put it. The only words that came to mind where the ones that began all this.

"I'm sorry, Katori..."

[Swifthoof]

Ears pricked to Shetan's sigh, but her eyes remained on the snow as her mind grew lost in thought. Feeling Shetan rest his head on her neck, she let out a soft snort of acknowledgement, hearing the three words that she heard when she first got here.

I'm sorry, Katori...

The bay let out another sigh and she shook her head again, her green eyes distant as she was lost in the night her small herd was killed off by a pack of hungry wolves. They were so thin, she could see their ribs, but the horses didn't fare much better. A drought had crossed their teritorry, drying out their water and food supply leaving the prey and predators both starving. The ironinc thing was the night it happened, it had been raining and the herd was celebrating only it was cut short by the pack that had hunted them down. Once in a blue moon, she could still hear their screams as they were killed, one by one.

Closing her eyes, she raised her head and looked into the direction of where Lucian had gone. It's fine..I just can't believe he's alive after all this time...He's changed too...he wasn't this hard-headed when I was young.. she said, her tone soft as she wondered what was going on with her father. Then again, she couldn't blame him for acting the way he did. It did look bad from his point of view.

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[[R].ebel]

'It's fine..I just can't believe he's alive after all this time...He's changed too...he wasn't this hard-headed when I was young.. '

Shetan lifted his head in surprise at her words, though unable to lift it high. He looked at her with a bit of surprise, wondering if she had been awake for the last events that had happened.

"I don't blame him, Katori... I could have... hurt you. As much as I hate to admit it, he was right...

The red stallion shook his head as he thought about what might have happened. He let out out a soft snort as he thought of Lucian, wondering how Katori must have felt. It must be causing some question and uncertainity in her. Shetan decide to perhaps try to get her focus off of her father, at least for now until it sank in. Though still weak, he nudged her softly and dipped his head to follow him as he started to walk, slowly, towards the forest.

"Let's find a place to rest. I'm exhausted."

Though Shetan never liked to admit when he was hurt or weak, he felt it would be a good way to get Katori's mind focused on something other than her dad. Shetan however, still kept his eyes glancing around for any sign of Lucian, just in case he was to come back. The red stallion did not like the fact that Lucian was trying to seperate the two and that sent a streak of anger through him. He couldn't imagine life without Katori and he would surely fight hoof and tooth to be with her.

[Swifthoof]

I don't blame him, Katori... I could have... hurt you. As much as I hate to admit it, he was right...


Jade eyes flicked over to him, slightly surprised but she her only response was a nod. For the first time in a long time, she didn't know what to do about her father. A part of her wanted to run after him, hunt him down and demand that he tell her more of what happened after the night the wolves attacked. But there would be plenty of time for that later. Right now, her main focus was Shetan.

Let's find a place to rest. I'm exhausted

She watched as he slowly started leading the way and a small smile crossed her muzzle before she fell in step beside him in case he needed support. As they walked, her eyes flicked around in case her father decided to come back. She wasn't pleased that he was trying to seperate her from Shetan, but she could also see his point. After all, he was only trying to protect her as was his duty as a father no matter how long they haven't seen each other.

Seeing a small grove up ahead that provided sheltet from the cold, she nodded toward it. We can rest there she said.

[/size]

[[R].ebel]

We can rest there

Shetan had been in a bit of a daze when he heard Katori's voice. He hadn't realized how far he had walked, though he was sure it wasn't far due to his lack of speed and weakness. Eyes searched for where the mare had pointed out and he saw the grove. It looked like a very suitable place to rest, and most importantly, safe.

The red stallion approached the grove, his body telling him to quit as every muscle seemed to ach. Shetan refused until he was well in the grove, safe out of harms way. Quickly, yet steadily, Shetan dropped himself to the ground, unable to walk any further. He lay his neck stretched out as he felt the welcoming sense of rest.

"I should be fine by morning..."

Shetan was half speaking to himself and half to Katori. It was a reassurance to himself and her, hoping that he would be well enough to walk by morning. For a long moment he sat quietly, and one could mistake him for being asleep, but his voice said otherwise as he spoke again in a soft voice.

"Katori... I love you..."

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight Streaming walked slowly. She stopped and winced as her foal kicked in her stomach. She continued walking until she reached The Pool of Peace. She lowered her head and took gulps of water and sighed in contentment. When she heard voices, her ears pricked up as she saw two horses looking for a place to rest. I'm sure they won't mind if I rest here too she thought to herself as she walked to a tree, a distance away from them. Her legs folded beneath her and she lain down. She rested her head on the grass and sighed in contentment again.

Her foal kicked again and she winced. Her baby was certainly an active little one. She moved the snow away from her even though most of it was melted. She ate a little bit of the grass and looked towards the couple. She felt somewhat sad. Her stallion had disappeared, actually died. He had been the best stallion ever. He was a gentleman and had been perfect. His name had been Sun. There had been troubles though... with Sunlight's old herd.

A tear rolled down her cheek.

[Swifthoof]

Katori watched as Shetan dropped himself to the ground, exhausted. She couldn't blame him. A small sigh escaped her as she looked around, studying their surroundings. One might call her paranoid for doing this, but she was just cautious and plus it didn't hurt to check.

It was pretty wide, but cozy as the trees surrounded them in a wide oval, the branches overheard twining together to provide plenty of cover from the elements. Dots of sunlight dotted the white snow underhoof, making it sparkle a little. Looking up to the sky, she saw that the sun was slowly starting to set, painting the sky with numerous blends of orange, red, purple and pink. As much as she loved the night, she knew it meant that some predators would be about and she also knew that they would think Shetan would be easy prey in his state.

I should be fine by morning...

At Shetan's words, a small smile crossed her face and she laid down beside him, pressing her body against his to provide warmth from the chill that was starting to settle in the area. After a few moments, there was silence and she was sure that he had knocked out until he spoke again.

Katori... I love you...

His tone was soft as he said it and she nuzzled his neck, gently playing with his mane before resting her head on his shoulder. I love you too, Shetan. Now rest, you need it she answered, her voice equally soft. She knew that she needed it too, but with her father reappearing all of a sudden, she knew she wouldn't be able to. Not until they talked again.

A new scent soon entered the grove and she looked up to see a palomino mare, heavy with foal appear on the other side, starting to lie down beside a tree. She only gave a small nod in hello before looking away, her mind lost in thought and having not noticed the tear that had strolled down the other's cheek.

[/size]

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight was glad that she was noted not as a challenge. Not that a mare heavy with foal could do much. She nodded back the mare and rested her head. The bay mare watched over the red stallion, it was like they switched positions. The bay and red seemed to be in love and Sunlight, once again felt lonely. She couldn't wait till this foal came, he or she would relax Sunlight.

[[R].ebel]

I love you too, Shetan. Now rest, you need it

The red stallion sighed softly, knowing what she said was true. He felt so weak and looked pathetic in his state, and Shetan made a promise to himself that he wouldn't let it happen again. It was time he worked things out with his own father's soul, but he pushed the thoughts aside, taking Katori's advice to rest.

A sound alerted the stallion and he snapped his head up, eyes burning yet again, threatening to turn over to the evil that burned within him, but at the sight of a pregnant mare not too far off, he relaxed. With the encounter with Katori's father, it made Shetan alot more on edge. With a light sigh, he nodded his head too in greeting, and then laid his head down to rest again. With Katori by his side, the red stallion slipped into a light slumber, ears pricking to ever sound that went through the forest. He would not get a restful sleep tonite due to the previous events, but he would have to try.

[Swifthoof]

The mare watched as Shetan fell asleep, but she knew it most likely a light one as his ears continued to perk up at the sounds around them. Her eyes went to the sky as the last drops of sunlight started to dissapear, giving away to the night. Stars slowly started to come out, twinkling one after the other in the inky blackness. A small breeze went through, making some soft ice cling to the very tips of her raven colored tail.

Movement soon caught her eye and she turned to see the large silhouette of a horse standing in the shadows of the trees. Katori stayed as still as possible, making sure to be relaxed as to not alert Shetan. Moonlight soon reflected a dark coat and a dirty blond mane and tail and she now recognized who it was. Lucian. The stalion said nothing as his brown eyes met her green ones,only flicking his ears in the direction of the pool. Follow me he seemed to say. Katori let out a soft snort and shook her head, her gaze flicking to Shetan then back to her father. Lucian nodded before he stepped back into the shadows and walked away. Katori watched him for a few moments before she looked back to the sky, thoughts swimming in her head.

Sleep was the last thing on her mind. The discovery of her father made that happen and even now she still couldn't believe that he was alive after..how long had it been? Three years? Four?. She had already lost count..She wondered if her mother was still alive, but she knew she wasn't. Katori had seen her die along with the other four members including a newborn foal. As for her father, she remembered seeing him fighting against two wolves until they dissapeared behind a hill and after that, her mother had ordered her to run.

Bringing her mind back to the present, her ears pricked to the song of crickets chirping their nightly song as the bay continued to keep watch.

[/size]

[[R].ebel]

The soft sounds of the winter air sought to soothe the sore stallion, his mind starting to sink deeper into sleep. As the darkness swelled around him, the restless soul of his father rooted up an old memory, flooding Shetan's mind with painful memories.

*~~*
"How can this be my son? He hasn't walked or tried to stand! Weakling!"

The angered words of a fiery red stallion echoed above the equally red newly born foal, body trembling in fear. A small bay mare stood near by giving a unconcerned gaze at the foal. The red stallion paced around his son, nudging him roughly with a hoof to try to make him stand.

"Stand up! Stand!"

The foal tried with his woobly legs, but ultimately failed, especially as his father kept pushing him roughly with his head. His mother watched without intervening, only speaking in a monotone voice.

"Killer, you're not helping him."

"Silence! He should be walking by now. He should have been walking by yesterday! I won't have a weakling for a son!"

Killer pushed the red foal so hard he tumbled down the side of a small hill, coming to land in a briar patch, blood trickling from scrapes and scratches as the briars picked at his skin. The red foal whinnied for his parents to help him, only to have the shadow of his father pass him by, his haunting words ringing in the foal's ears.

"Worthless child. Nothing but a weakling."

The bay mare came to a stop by the edge of the briar patch, watching as Killer walked off, most likely to take his anger out on someone else. The truth would be this: some creature would die tonight. The mare looked to her son, her gaze unchanging. Reaching her head down, she pushed the foal out of the briar patch, not taking any extra care to not hurt the foal, in which caused more cuts to bleed over his body. The mare looked over the foal, shaking her head in disappointment.

"You aren't worthy to be Killer's seed. You will surely die, Shetan."
*~~*

'You will surely die... You will surely die...'

The words echoed in Shetan's mind as the memories of the past faded away to nothing. He would surely die; was this the fate expected on him? Shetan had not thought much on what his parents had told him but now that the dream had gone, it made him realize that they had expected him to die. Was he weak? Shetan was starting to believe that. Pushing the thoughts aside, Shetan pulled himself out of his sleep.

Opening one tired eye, Shetan noticed the sun had set, the darkness all around him. He wasn't sure how long he had been asleep, but it obviously hadn't been very long. An ear pricked behind him, his first thought being Katori. Eyes searched for her, but he didn't need to as Shetan could feel her body against his still. Shetan lifted his head slightly to look at her, seeing she was still awake.

"Katori? Everything okay?"

Shetan wished he hadn't said that. He knew things weren't okay. Upon finding her father was still alive, Shetan knew Katori had to be feeling something and may need to talk about it, or let go of something. He didn't know exactly what to say about it as he had never been in this kind of situation, but he decided saying something was better than nothing.

"Do you need to talk? I'm sure there must be something you need to say after what's happened..."

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight Streaming noticed the stallion jerk awake. The mare had been tense for a few moments but now Sunlight couldn't tell if the mare was still tense.

Sunlight felt somewhat ashamed of herself. She was "spying" on these two lovebirds. She really shouldn't. But yet she couldn't fall asleep because of the energized foal that was inside her. The foal kicked again and she winced. The foal would certainly be a fiesty one.

The mare and stallion seemed to be comfort to one another. It was a nice sight considering that her stallion was no longer on this world. Sun had been her comfort but now... she only had the foal inside her. She looked back towards the couple and smiled.

[Swifthoof]

Green gaze went to Shetan, seeing him stir and lift his head slightly. A small smile crossed her muzzle before it soft of faltered as her ears pricked at his words.

Katori? Everything okay?

Her eyes went to the snow, wondering if she should tell him that her daddy dearest came to visit, wanting to talk but she hesitated. She didn't want to set him off and even in the state he was in she was sure that he would stand up and go after her father. Father.. even now, the name still seemed foreign to her but she guessed it was due to the fact that she just found out he was still alive.

Do you need to talk? I'm sure there must be something you need to say after what's happened...

She blinked in surprise at his words and was still wondering what to say. Yes, there was a lot of things she wanted to say, but she didn't know where to begin. It enough to make her dizzy. Laying her head on the snow, she closed her eyes, taking a few moments to think. Should she tell him that Lucian came while he was asleep? Or just avoid the subject and tell him everything was fine even though deep down it wasn't which they both knew was exactly the case. A small sigh escaped her as she lifted her head, looking over at him.

Lucian came by while you were asleep..He wants to talk with me and is probably most likely waiting at the pool..I know you two got off on the wrong hoof and you probably don't like him at the moment and I'm sure the feeling's mutual for him, but still..he's my father, Shetan. Besides..maybe you two can start over and get along..it would be nice if you did.. she said, her tone quiet as she met his eyes, wondering if she'd said too much, hoping that it wouldn't overwhelm him.

[/size]

[[R].ebel]

Shetan watched her quietly, patiently awaiting a reply. It seemed something was troubling her, though Shetan wasn't surprised. He knew she must be feeling something after finding that her father was still alive. Shetan could care less about Lucian, but he was Katori's father and whatever was happening needed to be dealt with between the two of them, not Shetan.

'Lucian came by while you were asleep..He wants to talk with me and is probably most likely waiting at the pool..I know you two got off on the wrong hoof and you probably don't like him at the moment and I'm sure the feeling's mutual for him, but still..he's my father, Shetan. Besides..maybe you two can start over and get along..it would be nice if you did..'

At the beginning of her words, Shetan's ears threatened to pin, but he held his cool, keeping his anger down for now. He listened to what Katori had to say with a hardened gaze, Lucian on his mind. At the last of her words, Shetan looked to the tree line quietly, his mind processing his thoughts. Shetan didn't have a normal relationship with his father, so he could not relate to Katori, nor could he try to as his situation was very different. With a soft sigh and without looking to Katori, he replied to her.

"Go. You need to talk to him first before I try to... I'll stay here and rest for a while... Just... be careful."

[xxwandererxx]

Sunlight Streaming breathed in the smell of the pine trees and the dampness of the snow on the grass. She couldn't help herself but to look back towards the couple. They seemed to be having a discussion and both seemed slightly distressed. She was tempted to go and introduce herself but maybe they didn't want a heavily pregnant mare intruding on their conversation. She bobbed her head and slowly stood up. It was a trouble trying to rise. She snorted in frustration and ended up laying back down.

The baby kicked harder. She snorted in surprise. The baby wasn't coming now was it? No, not possible.