The First Buds of Spring

Walking silently through the gardens, a heavy sigh salted the air as the frost from her breath floated before her eyes. Her hand caressed the bare branches of the wild rose bush, her eyes seeing the faint signature of sleeping life before her. She hated this time of year. Winter was gone, the snow melted away. Yet it was not quite spring either. The drab gray of the fields belayed the color that would reflect from the hills mere weeks from now. The branches of the trees hung solemnly, mourning for their absent leaves.

The still air of the gardens surrounded her as she passed through them, the bird not yet returned from their winter vacations, the hibernating squirrels and rabbits not yet awakened. Peering into the underbrush she could faintly see their glowing outlines, their dens obvious to her, but she left them undisturbed and walked on, feet treading the familiar path she had walked over and over this winter before the snow.

She arrived in the clearing and smiled a little, the brook she loved was finally running freely, nearly bubbling over its banks, swelled by the waters from the melting snow. This was the brook that fed the swan’s lake at Haven. It went under the ground after passing the clearing, becoming an underground spring.

She spread out her blanket on the dry grass, listening to it crackle as she settles on top of the soft flannel cloth. Laying back she watched the white clouds float through the crisp blue sky. Peacefully they moved along the chilly breeze, prompting her to wrap her coat more securely around herself.

For over an hour she lay watching the skies when a black dot crossed her line of sight. She frowned and watched the shape as it came closer and closer. As the silhouette coalesced into the familiar form of a giant bug she rose to her feet to greet whoever was inside.

Walking across the sleeping meadow, she smiled as a familiar pale face peered out from the window of the moth. Helping it open, she stepped back as he leaped out, landing beside her.

"Hello." She said.

"Greetings," Came his baritone voice, sending shivers through her for more than one reason.

"Come, I’ll take you to the house." She raised a hand to point out what direction she would take him, trying not to let her nervousness at the presence of her loved ones’ original get to her.

"That.." his voice faltered, and she had to rush to his side, quickly shifting forms to one strong enough to bare the burden of his weight.

"Kai? Kai? What’s wrong?" She laid him out on the blanket, shifting back to her small blue skinned self before looking him over.

"Running out of protoblood. Didn’t fill up before…left.." His normally strong voice growing weaker by the moment.

"Shhh, I can take care of that, I always carry some with me, and we can get you to the house where the boys can load you up on a lot more." She reached into her handbag, thankful she had brought it, she had almost left it behind when she decided to take her walk. Pulling out the tubing, she looked back at him, he was unconscious. Frowning she hurriedly undid his tunic, opening it. She shook her head at the sight of the scars on his beautiful white flesh, but was not frightened by them. She efficiently hooked up the tubing, plugging it into a miniature version of the protoblood canisters at the house, and watched as the life giving fluid flowed into him.

She waited for a while, giving the fluid time to soak into him. He finally opened his eyes and looked up at her. As he realized his tunic was open, he quickly sat up, closing it around himself once more.

"Thank you for your help." He quietly stated, face trying to hide the pangs of shame and sorrow that brushed across his features.

"You’re welcome Kai," She whispered, hand touching his shoulder. "Even sleeping roses hide true beauty within their prickly thorns."

He cocked his head and looked at her from the corner of his eye. "They do not disgust you?" His voice held the slightest traces of disbelief and curiosity.

"They are not your fault, they were done by the hand of a cruelty beyond measure. You should bear them in pride, you have saved countless people with the gifts granted you by those hands, even if that was not their intention, you used them in an honorable way."

He paused, seeming to consider this for a moment, and gave a small half smirk, and faced her again. "Your words give me something to think about."

She just nodded and smiled at him. "Here, I have something else that might help you feel better, and don’t give me the dead do not feel." She laughed, reaching again into her bag and pulling out a small bag of Lindt truffles. (YUMMY!)

He raised an eyebrow, watching as she slowly unwrapped the first piece. His nose wrinkled slightly as he took in the scent of the chocolate, leaning forward as she held it closer to him. His lips wrapped around the treat, caressing the tips of her fingers as she pressed it into his mouth. She shivered again, gasping as he grabbed her firmly, kissing her and sharing the sweet taste.

He smirked again, grabbing the bag of candies from her, long slim fingers digging through the bag to select the next piece. He unwrapped the white foil from it and pressed it to her lips. His eyes drank in her pleasure as it melted on her tongue, sliding down her throat. He leaned in and licked a small trickle that escaped her mouth as it ran down her chin. She looked up at him, eyes half closed, and ran her hand across the front of his shirt.

"May I?" She whispered to him. As he slowly nodded, she removed it, eyes wandering over the mars in his flesh, a finger lightly tracing across them. She smiled as she took the next piece of chocolate from him, tracing it over his skin, and leaning in to lap it up as it melted from the heat in her fingers.

A small chuckle escaped her, "The lioness was right, you do taste a little musty."

He nodded and smiled, a warm true smile as he pulled her back up into her arms, lips seeking hers to share one more piece of chocolate. As she lay against him, gathering her strength before leading him to the house, she watched his face.

One last time he allowed himself to smile at her, and whisper "Thank you."