[AIM rp between Buffy & Novablu, logged June 6]

He had to tell her.. It was high time for him to do it.. He loved her, and he needed her to know..
She had been the only thing he had ever loved.. The only thing he had ever accomplished was the friendship with her..

Surely she would feel the same. He couldnt imagine what he would do if she rejeted him.. He was already an angry wolf..Already hating life at his young teen life..

But the air was humid, as if rain was inevitable. He couldnt help but inhale deeply, to get that deep scent of forest into his nostrils.
Oh where could she be..

---

Krigger had been so far away from Broken Shore that it just wasn't funny. She hadn't seen Daddy or Momma in weeks... Maybe months. She hadn't seen Sio since she'd left her behind. It kinda made her sad, thinking back to her family, but her heart was one of a wandering spirit.

In fact, the only one she'd spent any time with was Raven-Blue... She smiled at the thought of his name and the memory of his vivid blue pelt. He was so beautiful, especially when he smiled. She loved him, at least as a friend.

But was he her soulmate? Was he? His sullen attitude lifted whenever they were together and he acted almost like a normal teenager with her. But was he The One?

Krigger lifted her head, breathing in the humid air. It was time to find him.

---

He smelled her, with his exceptional scent of smell. SHe was around, and it made his heart pump wilder, as he lifted himself over a rock with one graceful leap.

She just seemed to call to his soul, and lead him straight to her.
He lifted up his head, carrying his song through the forest, hoping she'd hear..Hoping she'd follow..

"I need you Krigger..."He whispered.

----

Krigger's head swung upwards, catching his breathy song that flickered and died, carrying the hope and need of his soul. Her heart sped up a little and she moved quicker, headed towards that sound. Her green eyes scanned the earth, scanning for any sign of his blue fur. There. She locked onto him, prancing forwards and leaping around like a pup. She took one of his ears between her teeth and gave a n**, then buried her muzzle into his fur. "Hiya." she said, peering up at him innocently.

----

"Kriggs!" He breathed a sigh of relief once she became visible. His heart was going to beat out of his chest, of this he was sure!
He gulped a bit, and smiled as she pulled his ear, and then nuzzled into his neck.

He couldnt help but breathe deeply, and inhale her scent, while his courage was being tested.. He wanted to tell her.. He wanted to so badly!
But he was scared now. He was a fool, he didnt deserve her..

---

"Raven," she replied, grinning all the while, grinning like a mad-wolf. She eased into a sit and her tail thumped the ground as she pressed herself up against him.

He felt so right. But they were just friends. But it felt so normal to be here, next to him. Like Mates... The M-word. It kinda scared her. Mates... Was he her mate? Was he her soulmate? The one wolf she'd been looking for since she was a pup? She'd once thought Sway was her soulmate, but he wasn't. She didn't feel this way towards him.

"What's the matter?" She tilted her head to one side. "You wanna go for a run? Wear the energy off? We haven't ran in dayyyyys."

---

"I..I dont think Id be good for running right now.."
He stammered, his heart beating wildlly. Could she hear it? Right through his chest?

"Krigs I.."
Damn it man! Say it!
But he was terrified. He had never been happy...And his friend made him happy.. If he lost her, he would surely die.

He was itching ro run with her.. But he couldnt run and keep this in.
She was his soulmate. He KNEW it..

"Krigs I.. I think Im in love with you.."
He whispered, looking at the earth.

---

She looked him in the eye, tail falling still. Not good for running? Was he sick? They always ran together. It was one of Krigger's favorite times. Raven had become like family, just like Sio. A best friend. She rested her head against his chest, feeling and hearing the racing heartbeat and her ears quirked upwards. Something was wrong...

But what he said, it completely took her offguard. Her jaw dropped a little, though she quickly snapped it back into place. Her eyes locked onto him, looking down at his paws, away from her. Worried... Her heart wasn't sure what it was supposed to do.

He'd just confessed his love for her... Her. The wolf who longed for a soulmate.

And she wanted to say yes. Every fibre of her being wanted to say YES! She wanted to run beside him.

But if she said yes...did that mean she'd leave her soulmate somewhere in the big blue world? Would she never be with the one she was destined to be with?

Or was Raven The One?

"A-Are you certain?" she asked, soft.

---

He nodded exhuberantly. His voice shaking a bit, but still trying to remain strong.

"Ive never been more sure of anything in my life.. You are the only one who cares for me.. You are the only one I think about.. Ive never felt this way.. I know you're the one..I feel it.."
Then he paused a bit, lowering his ears, his heart slowing, as he asked the question.
His eyes looked vulnerable, and he knew this was it..
It would make him or break him.

"Dont you?"

---

Tears sprang to Krigger's eyes as he all but spilled his heart to her. Her looked at her and she could peer into his soul and it broke her heart.

Was he The One? Was he? She didn't know. She didn't know and it was driving her crazy. If he was The One, she didn't want to let him get away. If he wasn't, what would happen to her destined soulmate if she stayed with him? Or worse... What if she was Raven's soulmate and she was someone else's? What was she supposed to do.

She backed away from him, tail tucking. "I don't know..." Her voice cracked. "I feel... I feel lost. I started wandering to find my future... What if you're not The One, Raven?" she whispered frantically. "What happens then?"

---

Her words hit him square in the chest, and he backed away.. That had basically meant she did not feel the same. He knew she was the one.. and she was questioning him.
If he had been a weaker male, he would have started to cry, but he just snarled a bit, his mind angry.
He had let her in, and now she had hurt him.. She didn't want him.. Just as no one else seemed to .

"I understand. It was great to see you again.."
He stammered, and seriously debating fleeing, as his eyes were on the floor, and he was just pacing now.

---

"Raven!" Her voice trembled, coming out in a whine. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." Her heart sank at his snarl, knowing that she'd not given him the answer he was so desperately seeking. She just didn't know what to do. Oh goddess, help her... She threw her head back, looking to the sky, then glanced at him once more, pacing the ground. She took a step near him, then froze.

---

He stepped back from her, he truly did not need her scent to distract him. He was unsure what to do now.. He wanted to run, but she was still his friend..
But his heart was breaking inside.. It had been shattered.
The Gods had destined him to be alone, and destined him to hate himself..

He looked her in the eyes, and knew she saw his pain.. He sat, and hung his head, scowling a bit.

"Its not your fault.."

---

"It's not that I don't love you," she murmured, dropping her head and looking at him. "I do... That's why it's so hard... I just... I just always believed in a destiny and I feel like I have to follow it. Please tell me you understand!" She curled her tail around herself, wanting desperately to hug herself. No... She wanted him to hug her. She felt outcast. And she'd done it to herself... "I'm sorry," she whispered in a mantra.

---

Her words did not soothe him, but just cut him deeper.. Why was he so sure she was the one.. Why didnt she see Fate had wanted them together. He would never convince her though.. She had replied, and he had accepted the answer...
"I dont understand Krig's.. Not really.. But I cant really do much about it."
He chuckled once, bitterly and deep.

---

His words stung her. She winced inwardly, looking away. She couldn't say anything right... What was her problem? She'd hurt him... He'd never smile again... Tears burned and she swiped at them with a furious paw. She moved to his side, pressing her nose against his fur and fully expecting him to jerk away, so she pulled away quickly. Her nose brushed his, green eyes staring deep into his for a moment. "I don't know what to do..." she whimpered.

---

When she leaned into him, it took every inch of his will to keep still.. This time, it wasnt from the fire of their connection.. But the fear of her touch.. She had let him think she loved him.. And she clearly wasnt so sure.
But it wasnt her fault.. He knew.. He wasnt a wolf to be loved..
Though her prediction was probably correct.. He'd probably never smile again..

But he didnt want this pain anymore.. He would not deal with it long.. He had already come to a decision.. But the decision remained inward.. He'd tell no one. No one could stop him.

"You've done enough.. Really.. Its alright.."
He said, voice softening as he had come to his conclusion.. Why make her feel bad if he wouldnt be bothering her anymore anyway?

---

Krigger hung her head like a puppy who'd misbehaved. Her heart beat slowly, painfully. All the memories that they'd spent together, running, playing, hunting. He'd said he wasn't a good hunter, but they'd made do. They weren't the best hunters, but they'd caught enough together. It made Krigger swell at the thought, but she quickly deflated again.

Fear set in. She needed to get away... She jumped to her feet, eyes darting back and forth. With a small whine, she refused to nuzzle him. What were they now? Not soulmates... "I...I have to go. I have to clear my head. I'll come back... Raven... I-I'm sorry," she choked out, then turned tail and just ran. Tears fell down her fur, streaking her face. She let them. She sobbed openly. Things would never be the same...

---

The male lifted his head, singing his sad, sad song to the night sky.. It was clear he was never going to find love or peace. He was not someone who would get that luxury.

So he mourned the loss of his heart, and when his song was over, he growled a bit, before darting into the darkness of the shadows in the treeline.

xxx end