The [Start] of a P . l . a . n [sapphy]

[HaNnIbLe]

ENDURING THE PAIN...

A piercing wail escaped Magic's throat as the opposing tom continued to batter her. She struck out at every chance she got, but he was too strong. She embraced the pain until her mate came to the rescue and alleviated it.

...FOR THE ONE I LOVE...

Hannibal's lips parted to reveal a menacing growl. No one touched Magic. No one. His haunches bunched together as he took a powerful leap that landed him squarly on his rival's back. His thorn sharp claws burried deep into the black pelt until he struck skin and drew blood. He felt the hot sticky liquid ooze out of the wound he'd inflicted. He felt the body beneath him jerk as the tom tried to shake him off but Hannibal just tightened his hold. He lowered his head towards the cat's throat and parted his jaws trying to get in the final bite that would end the life of the feline beneath him. He had no mercy for anyone who dared harm Magic.

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...AND FEARING FOR HER LIFE.

Sapphire's blue eyes widened in horror and her tail wrapped tighter over her body to protect the tiny kits huddled against her belly. This fight was not going to end well. She knew that somehow someone was going to have to win. The prize: his life. Blackheart was poisonous, deadly. Sapphire knew what her mate was capable of and for a moment, she felt a pang of pity for the tom he was fighting. But then again, the rogue seemed to be able to hold his own against Blackheart. Her resentment redirected itself towards the alabaster she-cat. She was getting the worst of Blackheart's rage. She was slim and clearly not much of a fighter when it came down to size. If Blackheart wasn't stopped, he could so easily kill her.

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[•The Speedster•]

Deadly and endlessly amber opts didnt dare move away from the clone beside him. Their matching black pelt, strong shoulders, and thin waists all seemed the same. But fire and ice aren't the same, and never would be; just like they would never be equal, one was always stronger. And the one out of those two was Blackheart for sure. Lava flowed through his body as ice did through Hannibals, as lava represented the evil and ice as the enemy. The two seemed oh so the same, only craving on thing, and one thing only. Territory. Although they cared for there mates, each knew they wouldn't harm each other's, as long as they were cool.

But Blackheart couldn't stand this fight, the fight that seemed endless and dangerous. This is nonsence, and its got to stop. It was supposed to come out as just a feirce and strong voice, but instead it seemed more like a mean growl. His eyes were still full of hatred as he backed away from the icy tom. It's got to stop. He repeated it again, just to make sure the tom heard him.

Blackheart's lava red eyes seemed to carve into Hanibal's on ice blue opts. He moved forward again, his gaze locked with Hannibal's. But he had to be the first to move, he to be the weak one and look away. Only would he do it for Sapphire, the true love of his life. Although she'd betrayed him with another tom, he couldn't talk, for Derana had stolen half his heart. Sapphire... He whispered it, but it may have been loud enough for the two pairs of cats to hear. He turned his gaze now to his mate, and the lava softened to a more Valentine heart red. He wanted to ask her "Are you ok?" But he knew that if he spoke one more word to Sapphire, Hannibal would get him. He hoped Sapphire could read his mind, or at least his eyes, which were just begging to know her emotions and how she was doing.

Word Count;; 345
Muse;; average
Comments;; none

[HaNnIbLe]

Magic looked at her mate with a pleading look in her green yes, "Hannibal please," she begged. She took a step forward toward's the black toms. "This has to stop," she mimicked Blackheart's words hoping Hannibal would listen if they came out of her mouth

.

"But-" Hannibal was choked off. He couldn't make Magic upset. She had already suffered enough. He dropped back and continued to glare at Blackheart with harsh eyes."Ugh!" he yowled in frustration "Fine." he hissed sternly.

Sapphire's blue eyes probed into her mate's eyes. There was a silent message burried beneath the surface of the fury that he was trying to communicate with her. Her head tilted slightly and abruptly she understood the amount of feeling in the single look from Blackheart. He was worried about her. This is why, though she had other mates, she just couldn't get herself to let go of Blackheart. He cared about her after all the harm she'd done to him. He'd left his clan and previous mate for her even while she was bearing another tom's kits. She felt very undeservent of such goodness in her life. She nodded to let him know that she was unharmed. She hoped he understood the motives behind the gesture.

-Back to Hannibal-

There was a gagging sound in Hannibal's throat as he watched the silent exchange between his rival and his mate. He cleared his throat impatiently, "Well what now? Since obvioulsy we're done with the action, we have to do something besides stand here and make lovey faces at each other!" his voice was bitter with the sarcasm directed towards his new enemy. He hoped he wasn't planning to stick around because if he did for any extended lenghth of time, a fight would be unavoidable.
His icy gaze seemed to melt as a short laughter came from Magic's musical voice. He turned to look at her amused expression and beamed because he made her happy. He forced himself to look away from her and the liquid ice froze again, "Well?" he asked waiting for and answer that hopefully wuold not make him want to kill the cat before him because that would upset his mate.

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[•The Speedster•]

The flames in his eyes relaxed, but he could tell the ice still lapped viscously. Apparently this territory belonged to us first, He paused as he swung the ribbon he welded by himself and Sapphire. so it'd be better if you left. The fire returned, burning down the ice that shielded his enemy. Of coarse, you'd never sink that low; to let an enemy tell you exactly what to do. So, I guess I'll be the stronger, more adult cat, and leave this area to you and your pesky mate. He stood tall, his shoulders broad and chest full. Orbs narrowed, ears lowered, and his shoulders fidgeted as he sulked off, flicking his tail for Sapphire to follow.

His large paws were hard on the ground, as his dinosaur footsteps slammed unnecessarily on the icy-hard ground. He glanced over at his love, the perfect silver fae with gem blue eyes. She was walking at his side, both their tail twirling together, and their opts on the ground. What was she thinking about? Were the same thoughts that were in Blackheart's mind in hers as well? Was she thinking about what to do with the kits; and how Blackheart should and would treat them? Because that is what he was thinking about.

Sapphire... What are we doing with the kits? I mean, I realize they aren't mine... A low growl rose in his thoat as he spoke the last sentance, he didn't mean to be hostile, but those weren't his kits! Blackheart didn't even care much for them, let alone want to live with them. His orbs rose from the ground, following up his mates leg, to her neck, and then finally her eyes. They met, and deep love that shared between them made Blackheart pause in his steps. He closed his eyes, and pulled his banner from Sapphire's. Sapphire, you've got to understand how I feel. Those kits aren't mine; and don't get me wrong, but I don't love them. I want my own children, that I can love, and protect, and know that they will be mine... Just like I do you... He didn't know how well she'd take this, so he sat down, his haunches sore from the recent battle.

His eyes were sore, and red around the edges, prooving his sadness and depression. He remembered the ending of the battle, not 1 minute ago, and how he had given up the territory that had always been his. He regreted that decision, but he'd stood strong, and been the one to stand up, the one to win the battle they'd never finished. He closed his eyes as the wrath returned, the lust he felt for new territory, and the kits he wanted. He could not lose this battle, especially something so easy to deal with; Sapphire. By tomarrow, he'd have new territory, and by new-leaf, he would have a litter of new-born kits.

Word Count;; 485
Muse;; average
Comments;; none

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[Searipple*Burberrykit*Hawk]

Hawk looked around at the familiar landscape, and shook his head. It had been about two or three months since he had fought Bloodstone, and every day he thought of his one and only love; Sapphire. He had had to leave. There were things so classified in secrecy he couldn't think of them himself. So there he was, coming back to the lands of the Clans. The same trees were there, the same rocks. Nothing was different. It was like he'd never left.

He stepped along some ferns, and saw something out of the corner of his eye. His long fur had become a little knotty, but he didn't care. But that wans't the least of his worries. He heard a familiar sound-cats screaming, and it was a fight. And everyone who knew him knew he hated fighting. He couldn't just walk along and let innocent cats die! "STOP! he cried, and then he just stopped in shock, no words coming from his mouth when he saw a familiar cat who brought back a lot of memories.

Could it really be her? Could it really be the cat that he had been dreaming about for months now? The one that he had been dying to see, the one that he had been crying over for years? He heard the gasp in his own breath, and his legs quivered in front of him, and the only thing that could come out of his mouth was, "Sapphire...?" In a whisper and stare. He froze like a statue, and his heart thumped in a offbeat rythm. His breathing was ragged and uneven, and she couldn't even swallow the lump in his mouth that came whenever he saw the newborn kits lying beside her.

They weren't his, that was for sure. But they weren't the horrid Blackhearts' either. He never had ever liked that cat, and the only thing that came to his mind whenever he looked at him always flashed; 'Untrustworthy. Bloodlust. Evil.' He was well aware that Sapphire had more than one mate, and yes, one of them was himself. But a flash of hurt overthrough him. Was he still? Or was he some forgetten cat that she had only fallen in love with for a short period of time and had saved her from her father? Did he even hold a place in her life...or her heart?

sorry it took so long.]

[Sapphire]

Before:

This hole you put me in
wasn't deep enough
and I'm climbing out right now
you're running out of places to hide from me
when you go
just know that I will remember you
if living was the hardest part
we'll then one day be together
and in the end we'll fall apart
just like the leaves change in colors
and then I will be with you
I will be there one last time now

Sapphire groaned internally. She refused to get rid of her kits. The last thing she wanted was to part from them. But at the same time, she knew that what Blackheart was saying was true. And what about Bloodstone? He planned to take the kits from her sooner rather than later. There had to be a way to make everyone happy at once. But that was simply an impossibility. Because Sapphire was never going to be happy. She couldn't make everyone she loved happy which resolted in a strong hatred towards herself and her life. She wished she could just erase every mishap her life had brought her and live happily for once. Was that too much to ask? Apparently, it was. "Blackheart-I...I just don't know! There's simply no way out of this! I promise I will do everything in my power to make you happy, but I refuse to give up my kits. You may not love them, but I do. And I know you won't take that away from me. There's so much I wish I could give you, my love, but it's hopeless, don't you see? You've chosen a future with me and that comes with a great deal of consequences, and I'm terribly sorry for that. I'm sorry I decieved you time and time again." She rubbed her head against Blackheart's cheek hoping he could understand what a mistake he'd made, but also how much it would cost her if he left.

Just then, a familiar sent washed through her sent glands. It was a sent that made her heart stop beating, then continue to pump sporadically. It triggered a flood of memories and a bright outlook for the bleak form things had taken. It awakened teh sence of belonging and affection. It was Hawk. The silver she-cat gasped out loud and an almost inaudible whisper escaped her lips,"Hawk," and suddenly the whole world shifted. It didn't matter that pain was coming in the form of her father, or that her heart may stop beating, or her breath might cut off. All that mattered was that life seemed to have a meaning all over again. All because the one who had held her together for so long was back. Love, devotion, happiness, had all returned.

After:

And would you stay right here?
When I tell you,
That someone out there loves you.
Would you stay right here?
Well I'd tell you,
That someone out there loves you after all.

[Searipple*Burberrykit*Hawk]

Hawk could only gape for a moment, and finally he turned to look at the cats who were fighting. "STOP! You are being ridiculas. Just stop. Just all of you, go home before someone gets even more hurt. Or killed. GO." The athority in his voice only meant that he cared, to an extent. Finally, he turned back to Sapphire, and he took a very hesitant step forward. He looked down at the kits, and looked at her with questions in his eyes.

But the only thing he could get from his mouth was the one word; "Why?" He whispered it, pain filtering from his word. He meant why she'd done this, why she was doing what she was doing. He couldn't understand her. What had he ever done to deserve her forgetness? Why did she not care what he thought? He shook his head at her, hurt and betrayal on his face. How could she have done this to him? All he had ever done was love her, look after her. Why was she rewarding him by going off with her other mates and deciding to love all of them but him, and end up having kits with one of them? He couldn't understand.

He'd always had trouble understanding the cat that he loved. She was always so confusing, and through it all he'd loved her. And there she was, rewarding him by forgetting him and going off and mating and going on with her other mates and her life, not caring what he thought. Not caring if he came back. It all hit him like knives, going strait through his pelt and muscles, strait to his heart. He swallowed, she'd betrayed him without a care. But he couldn't leave her. She was all he wanted, and he stilled loved her through all she'd done to him. He knew that she'd hurt him more-she always did, but he always came back and took the pain, only to fall in love with her again and again. And he knew one day that he would have to stop, but every time he would think she could have one more chance, knowing he'd give her much, much more. There wasn't anything she could do. The etches were already in his skin. He couldn't fill them up or take them out. In order to do that, he'd have to take out his heart with it.

[Sapphire]

I'm trying, I'm trying
To let you know just how much you mean to me
And after all the things we put each other through and

I would drive on to the end with you
A liquor store or two keeps the gas tank full
And I feel like there's nothing left to do
But prove myself to you and we'll keep it running

But this time, I mean it
I'll let you know just how much you mean to me
As snow falls on desert sky
Until the end of everything
I'm trying, I'm trying
To let you know how much you mean
As days fade, and nights grow
And we go cold

Sapphire's eyes were wide with shock as Hawk spoke. She realized that what he saw before him was the deepest form of betrayal. How could she explain to him when she was so confused about her life? How could she make things right again? How could she win back the prize that was always way more than she deserved-Hawk's unfaltering love?

The sterling cat's blue fire eyes tore away from Hawk and turned to glace warily at Blackheart. She wasn't sure what she saw there, within the deep confines of his amber eyes, but she was sure it wasn't good. She ripped her gaze from his and looked down at her kits. She carefully stepped around them and closed the short distance between her and the brown tom who faced her with betrayal burning from his very being.

"Hawk I'm so sorry! I betrayed you, I turned my back on all you ever had to give me! I'm sorry, Hawk, I'm sorry! The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you! But you have to understand, my love," she didn't want to even know what Blackheart thought of that,"This is not the life I've chosen to live! It was forced upon me. It's Bloodstone, Hawk, it's not me!" her eyes were overwelmed by the severity of emotion that flowed through each word she spoke. "Please, you have to believe me, you're the only one who's ever understood me, who's ever cared enough to try to make sense of me. I've told you everything about this life of mine," she spat the words life of mine makeing them sound horrible and unforgiving, "You just have to belive it's true. I know I'm not one to be speaking of honesty, but really, Hawk, this time...this time it's true."

[Searipple*Burberrykit*Hawk]

Hawk was a great cat. He was strong-willed and kind, gentle and devoted. There was one thing he wasn't though. He wasn't harsh. He couldn't be a mean cat, he couldn't yell at someone and use words that he knew would hurt them. But somehow that cat came out as Sapphire begged. Yes, the love he felt for her never had changed, though almost a part of him had wanted it to leave him. It was one of the reasons he had gone. One of the reasons he had gone away. Hawk now knew that there was nothing he could do about the love he felt for Sapphire. It was like a fish in the sea, like a hawk in the sky. In a way he felt like they belonged together.

In another he wished they wouldn't. Like the fish, he wished he could just go and leap on the lands, but he knew that he wouldn't survive. It had hurt to leave her, like he was a hawk that couldn't fly. He was Hawk and he couldn't live without loving. To be there for someone and to show them that he cared. It was what he wanted to be, what he was known for. No one understood how he felt about anything, how he felt when he saw the beauty of his first and only love. Hawk had never loved anyone else. No one made him happier. No one made him sadder either.

Sapphire always hurt him. She would always take his heart, over and over. There was never anything he could ever do than to fall for her. It hurt when he did, always. But somehow she would take his heart and tuck it safe with her. For a while. And suddenly she would smash it into so many peices that no one could cound it all. Hawk couldn't do it anymore. The hurt that she had inflicted on him was just too much. But her begging... It made his heart race and reach for her. He clenched his teeth. He didn't want to forgive her. Logic and his heart never agreed. One was actually rational, it thought things through and considered the outcomes. That was his mind, his logic. His heart told him simply that he couldn't live without her. That he couldn't let her go.

But the excuses... He couldn't take them anymore. His mind snapped somehow, and his full pain went strait to his eyes. "You haven't changed, Sapphire." Blinking, he shook his head. It was true. She still had decieved him, she still had shoved his heart in the ground and stomped on it. She was still with plenty more than one mate, she she still loved more than one of them. Or at least used them all. Hawk wondered which side he was on, or if he was even in the middle. And of course his heart said that it wouldn't mind as long as it was at least in the middle. Love was so irrational. So painful... "You always have an excuse, Sapphy. Always. It hurt to hear her say 'my love'. It hurt to call her his sweet name for her. The only one who ever called her that. It hurt to know that at all. It hurt to hear her beg. What hurt worse was that he knew she also said that to a lot of other toms. "You've chosen your own path, Sapphy. When will you see that you have to chose what you want and what you dont?" Again he wanted to know which one he was.

Hawk hated himself sometimes. On how much pain he let himself get in, on how much he knew he could stay out of. But he couldn't just leave. He couldn't just forget the one he loved. Sometimes he wished he could, yes. But he doubted that could ever happen. He also doubted that he even wanted it to.

[Sapphire]

Those mesmorizing ^eyes
led to believing only ^lies.
Always ^deceptive,
they proved ^effective.

Pain. Overwhelming pain. And she deserved it all. Sapphire could see that Hawk was done with her lies and her excuses. He was done with her. And he had so much reason to be. She had decieved him in ways unperceptive to anyone else in the entire forest. Hawk had always been so kind and understanding through everything she had put him through. But everyone had a breaking point. Hawk had just reached his.

The silver cat's eyes were the deepest pools of sorrow. Her airway seemed to be choked off and she couldn't conjure an answer to any of the questions Hawk had just asked. She wished desperately to let him know just how much she appreciated all he had ever done for her. How much she appreciated his very presence, his very being.

Sometimes the world has ways of taking matters into its own hands. And it had. Everything Sapphire had ever done to betray the cat before her had come back and slapped her across the face. It had ripped her heart out, but kept it beating soley so she could feel every biting moment of the pain. So that she could endure what she had inflicted. She gasped in the air and managed to utter just a few words. Three little words that managed to express every feeling that was racing through her entire being, "I love you," the words were hardly audible, but they were all she could say as she was fighting to gain control over herself. Fighting and losing. That's all her life had ever been. A fight. A battle. One where all odds were against her and it fate's favor. Escaping fate is something we all wish we could do. Sometimes it feels like there's too much wrong in store for you. And for Sapphire there was.

The world spun around her, shifting. Only one thing remained in place. Hawk. But that was wrong. Very wrong. She was longing for the one thing that had held her together. The same thing that was breaking her apart now. She was longing to be with Hawk and no one else. But that could never happen now. Never. And that single fact hurt and affected her more than anything in her life ever had. More than taking the pain of her own father's wrath, more than losing her mother, even more than giving up her kits to a cold-blooded murderer. It was a kind of hurt that she would never ever wish upon anyone else. Not even Bloodstone. And it was exactly what she deserved. Finally she collapsed. And she broke down at her love's paws, before her mate, beside another tom's kits.

Then _alone...
sadness a _clone.