Hope

White One...

The soft fur was stained in red, course rough hairs mingling with those of pure softness. Blue eyes stared once again at the weary face of her companion, his eyes seemingly more ragged as if plagued by nightmares as he slept. She moved a back legs tighter to herself, bringing his much smaller frame closer to hers, tucking him near her belly. Again the doe bent her head tot he task of picking dirt, pebbles and small debris from his bleach white coat, taking care of his frail frame.
The absence of one was taking its toll on her Nine, his heart fragile enough as it was. She had heard his cries, his calls that were going unanswered and her heart was breaking at such a sound. Bylah was not to be found, his scent dead almost and vacant from his sunspot. No longer did she search, but she felt the pain from seeing he was not their for Nine.
So she tried her best, resting with him, listening to him call. but she knew he was not looking for her. He was not wanting her answering call. He searched for another, and she could only do so much for the tin stag. She did not know what else to do. Dancing had lost its rhythm, games of jumping and laughing seemed almost mundane now. Hide and Seek really turned her into worry more, as it seemed she had to follow him around, making sure he was alright. Even random stags made her protective of him, ears back and heckles raised as they dared try to touch him while he was so weak with need. Did they not see he did not want to play at that moment!?
A raspy sigh drifted through her lips, falling into his soft fur as she buried her face into his neck. She too missed him oddly. He did not hold her as high as Nine, probably not even cared for her as he once did when she was younger. Bylah did not seem to understand the life around him, what was happening tot he Forest. She know how in tune they were to one another, how one affected the other.

Please stay...

She missed seeing them together, Nine sprawled over the rotting pelt of Bylah as he laid there unmoving. Nine smiled then, eyes bright as the stars at night. Now his smile seemed fake to her. As if it hurt him to try and smile. His eyes held n more joy, and Jettem was beginning to worry that she might lose another dear friend. He was slipping away where she could not follow.

Tell me what to do..

She did not know what she could do more for him. he has settled deep in her heart, his innocent laughter and friendliness fading each time she saw him. No amount of soft murmurings in his ears could comfort him. Tender moments in their spot only seemed to sadden him more so. Friends were being to whisper things that frightened her. he woudl disappear like Bylah. One day she wouldn't hear his cries. She wouldn't see his shinning pelt and tiny black helmet. His laughter she could not remember. But most of all, she was afraid he would forget her and she him.

Nine...

Lids were heavy, lips cold from the oncoming winter months. It would be white everywhere soon. She wondered how Nine would love to play in the snow. She prayed that maybe that could bring him some light to his heavy heart. How many times had it snowed and the snow stayed? She could not remember the last time the earth was covered with white. White, like Nine. She buried her face closer to him, her ear resting over his side. The soft rhythm of a beat echoed there. Small but strong. Alive.

Listen to your rhythm White One...It's there, inside you. Remember what you carry. You are carrying Hope. Be careful to not drop it Nine. For it is my Hope you hold in your heart.