Note from Author: Things are turning a bit dark. So this is just a warning for those who are feint of heart.

The fire crackled as it crawled across the ground chewing away at the land turning the lush green field into a blackened death land. The long, thin blades of grass burned quickly. Without any rain, the grass as brittle and dry thus making it the perfect fire starter. Tiny mice scurried around the ground dodging the falling ash as they tried to escape the flames. A mother quail called out in rage and fear as she tried to hurry her terrified chicks out of their nest and to the safety of the creek bed. Garden snakes slithered as fast as their bodies would carry them as the heat beat down on their skin.

Silvanus continued to stand at the edge of the meadow, watching as his beast continued towards the forest almost as if by command by its master. The light from the fire lit up the dark world around him; its sparkles reflecting in his eyes. His golden pelt had turned a dusty gray as ash carried by the wind blew back at him. A few specks got into his eyes making them west. He simply blinked them away before returning to stare.

The wind blew hard carrying the flames closer to the thick woods. The fire had spread from the meadow to the thicket. The flames washed over the brush as if it were a furious wave beating against the shore. The beat roared madly as it clawed away the bark on the trees, climbing to the top before jumping to another.

Among the popping of the burning field and wind, Silvanus heard an eerie laughter behind him. He turned to see the black stag standing in the fire light. The embers below his hooves cast a faint, orange glow onto his dark pelt. The candles that sat upon his antlers blew wildly in the howling wind. Crimson blood continued to ooze from his empty eye sockets as he chuckled with delight. Silvanus cocked his head to the side as he looked at the mad stag.

"What is, Silvanus?" the black stag asked with a grin. "Is this not what you desired? To make them suffer as you had suffered? The loss of your right burned your soul and now their souls shall burn, too."

The flames sparkled in Silvanus eyes has he joined the black stag's mad laughter. He felt a strange feeling of pride deep within his hallow heart. "Yes..." He said in between his chuckles. "Yes! Feel my fury, Castor! Feel it!" He jumped up with excitement as he continued to chuckle. "Ah...This power! This feeling! I feel alive." Turning his head sharply towards to the burning woods, his smile widened. "I want to see them...I want to see them feel it."

Without hesitating, Silvanus darted towards the forest. He watched his step has he galloped through the ashes that remained in the field. Dust and sand were kicked up as he ran, turning his golden fur into a rusty, copper color. He did not stop running even when he reached the forest's edge. With a might leap, he jumped over the burning brush and continued to run into the untouched part of the forest searching for his targets.

A streak of lightning lit up the dark sky. The sudden bright light and loud, low rumble of thunder made Kumiko jump. She gasped as she quickened her pace to catch up to Constant who was a few steps ahead of her. Shivering in fear, she stood beside him as he glanced over at her. Leaning over, Constant gently rubbed his cheek against her's hoping to comfort her a bit.

"I'm scared..." she as she leaned up against him.

He rested his head on her's as they walked on. He let out a small sigh. He did not want to have to say good-bye to her yet but he could sense her discomfort from the storm, "Ok, I'll take you home."

The wind picked up, blowing dried leaves around them. An unusual smell filled the air; it was a smell unknown to either young fawn. A thick, black cloud hung over the trees down the path they were heading towards. All around them, animals ran blindly. Birds screeched above their heads; the chatters of chipmunks and squirrels filled the air as they jumped from branch to branch. Adult deer stomped crazily around the two cowarding fawns.

"What's going on?!" screamed Kumiko as she pulled her ears back and her tail hung below her.

"I'm not sure," Constant had a look of confusion on his face as he cuddled next to her.

A bright light glowed in the distance. With each minute, the light grew brighter and closer. Almost as if it were a creature crawling across the ground. Flames continued to engulf each tree. Burning branches fell from the trunk and landed on the ground thus allowing the flames to spread farther on the blades of dry grasses and leaves that lined the forest floor.

Kumiko and Constant sat there in fear as the heat surrounded them. The smoke began to choke them, making the two fawns gag and gasp for air. They wanted to run but fear and confusion held them tightly in place. Neither one had seen such a destructible force nor did either one know where to run. They continued to huddle in place, feeling weaker with each breathe. Their tan fur turned a dusty gray as ash rained down on them. Out from the haze around them, a familiar figured stood in front of them. The figure was tall and slender; its fur was just as dull as theirs now. It nudged at the two fawns gently with its nose.

Above the smell of burning wood, Constant caught a a familiar scent, "Mommy...?" he called out.

"Come along, Constant," Maia replied with a soft, yet worried, voice. "Kumiko, come with us."

The two fawns stood on their shaky legs. Maia towered above them, shielding them the best she could with her body as she tried to lead them to safety.

"Follow me," she calmly said. "I know a place where we can go."

"But what about my mom and dad?" Kumiko called out over the roaring fire that circled them. "I haven't seen them at all!"

Maia sighed as she hurried them along, "I am sure they are fine, Kumiko. We can look for them once we're safe. Just stay close to Constant and I."

Maia lead Constant and Kumiko through the burning maze. The three quickly trotted away from the fire until they reached a spot in the forest that the fire had not yet spread to. The area was completely new to Constant and Kumiko. The soil was much drier and rockier here than anywhere else they had been in the forest. The trees were spread wider apart; the grass was shorter. Behind them, a steep slope lead high up into the mountain range that bordered the forest.

Maia gave a sigh of relief as she laid down on the ground. Her breathe was short and sharp from running through the smoke to get the fawns. Constant sat happily beside her; nuzzling her with a smile on his face as she began to lick his fur clean. However, his joy to be found subsided as he looked over at Kumiko. She stood away from them with her back to them. Her tearful eyes scanned the forest looking for signs of her parents.

Constant stepped away from his mother and stood along side her. "Kumiko," he wearily said, "I'm sure your mom and dad are ok. Then they'll find us her with my mom."

Her ears laid against her hanging head. She closed her eyes trying to bat away the tears. Without saying a word, she nodded. Whimpering, she rested her head on his shoulder. She could not hold her tears back. They streamed from her eyes and rolled down her cheek. Constant said nothing. He just sat there trying to console her.

Maia watched from a distance. Good boy, Constant... she thought to herself. Show her you care for her. If it is love you feel when you look at her, then follow your heart and go for her. Don't let Silvanus' ways stop you. A warm smile came to Maia; thoughts of her early days with Rainer filled her head as she looked at the two cuddling fawns. The warmth went away though as reality set back in. She stood up and walked over to them. She was about to speak when the outline of a stag could be seen.

The stag ran towards Maia and the fawns. A ray of hope came to Kumiko; she thought that maybe her father had come for her, but her hope faded as the stag drew nearer. Silvanus was now standing in front of them. His fiery eyes set on Kumiko as an evil grin appeared on his lips. He looked down at the fragile fawn, crowing below him.

"Why hello there," he said in a sly, untrustworthy voice. "You're Kumiko, aren't you? Serenity's fawn, right?"

Kumiko tried to speak but something about him filled her with fear; maybe it was the way he looked at her. She opened her mouth to answer him but only a faint sound escaped from her throat as she nodded.

He chuckled, "I have been wanting some one on one time with you for awhile."

Silvanus stepped closer to her. She stood to back away. Her thin legs trembling under her body. She stumbled backwards and fell to the ground with fear in her eyes as he drew nearer to her.

Castor stood tall upon a giant rock. His nose high in the air as he took deep whiffs. He could smell the smoke; it was still far from where he, Serenity, and Freya stood, though another scent drifted on the wind. It was the scent of Kumiko and the scent of Silvanus, together.