The Tiger Within

She was hanging there, her body pulled into a ball, as she had tried to protect herself, knowing what was waiting for her . Blood stained her white fur in places, the ropes having cut into her skin . Her shoulder was at a awkward angle, as though out of shape . She was desperately in need of help, pain shot through his heart as he realized that there was nothing he could do till she was free . Even in battle he had never seen her so beat up, looking vulnerable and helpless in the net . Verone couldn"t move, his eyes drawn to her face, unable to make himself move as he willed her eyes to open with every ounce of his being .

Seeing his brother made no move to act, Talis tried to take control . "Verone help me we have to get her down…" Talis pointed out trying to stand up . Pain shot through him and he cried out like a wounded cat . There was a clicking in his side… broken ribs . He could hardly move more or less try and get Kyera free .

Advertis.e.m.e.nt"V…" The soft female voice cut off the frantic begging of Talis for his brother"s a.s.sistance . Verone looked up at her, watching her soft eyes slowly open . The tears in them told him more than her words every would .

"I"m here Ky, try to cut yourself loose . I"m here . I"ll catch you . " He a.s.sured her raising his arms, his claws barely touching the net . A soft sad smile formed on Kyera"s tigress face .

"Verone… I . . . I"m wounded . I can"t make it back . " SHe tried to reason but he shook his head reaching taller, his finger tips barely reaching the net . He grasped it best he could, silencing the blasted bell . He would never enjoy the sound of percussion again .

"I can carry you . Please just free yourself . I can"t . . Please . " Verone tried to coax his lover . Kyera"s tail slipped down between the holes in the net . The soft warm strand curling against the side of his cheek . The softness of her fur pressed to his tear stained cheek .

"You can"t carry me and Talis . You have to go . Now before the hunter"s return . You heard the bell . They won"t be long . " Kyera reminded him looking down at him sadly . A tear trailing through the fur of her cheek . His hand rose to caress her tail against his cheek . The sadness and pain the girl"s eyes seemed to weigh on his heart, spreading the tiny crack even wider .

"I can"t leave you here . " Verone whispered shaking his head, gripping that softail as though it was his last connection to the world . In a way it was, she had always been his world . Ever since that little tigress trained beside him . His perfect kitten . What he would give for now to be a dream and to wake with her waiting for lessons with her brothers . Alas denial would get him nowhere .

"Verone, take care of the garden . Don"t let my brother"s be forgotten . I"ll come home… Go now . " She replied her voice less gentle now as she turned that a.s.surance to a order . She didn"t have a choice . The pain was ebbing her vision and she had to know they were safe before she succ.u.mbed to the dreamless sleep that awaited her .

"Kyera…" He began to protest but she shook her head . Gently, his hand stroked over her tail, trying to bring her comfort .

"V, I love you . " Kyera whispered her words so softly he wasn"t sure he had heard them . So long he had waited for those words… but it wasn"t meant to be . There was nothing left to do . The words were I love you but the meaning was goodbye .

"No regrets my love . " He whispered laying one last kiss to her soft fur and breathing in her sent one last time before letting her go . There was nothing more they could do, not without sacrificing both their lives . It didn"t matter how willing he was to take that risk, he knew she wasn"t . Verone found the strength to move away . His arms raised his brother to his back despite his pained cries and he ran . He couldn"t look back . If he did, Verone knew he could never leave his princess hanging in that tree .

"No Regrets . " She agreed as her world slowly grew dark .