Sapphire's Sight

Chapter 2-Hope

Cinder and Shadow walked on in a comfortable silence, their fur brushing against the other every now and then, though they would only say a quick sorry before focusing again on their surroundings.

Cinder was trying to memorize the path, she didn't know where they were going and it worried her, causing her to try and remember the path and scenery so if she got lost or worse, she could quickly run back to her old home for a new plan.

Shadow was on a totally different thought train, before she had met Cinder, she was actually hunting for the other so there could be enough food. They weren't starving, of course not, but after the harsh winter they still had to get used to actually eating and needed as much as they could get to regain energy.

They kept going untill a faint rustle of the bushes caught their attention, both snapping their heads towards the sound. Cinder looked ready to run, to cower away from whatever it could be, however Shadow on the other hand crept towards it.

She had let her head fall down, keeping her Movements slow, stalking whatever animal it could be carefully to not scare it away.

As Cinder was still backing away in fear, still not understanding Shadow either, she accidentally stepped on a twig frightening the animal in the bush and making a rabbit pop out of the bush, running the opposite way from the two.

Shadow looked back at Cinder, giving her a look that practically screamed 'really' and she turned back, facing the way the rabbit ran, and took off. Using her powerful skills to chase after the small piece of prey.

Cinder blinked, shocked at the events that just took place, but quicky shook it off and realized her current situation.

She was alone...

Without her guide.

"Shadow? Shadow, are you there?" She called into the trees. She had been looking for her friend, for maybe about an hour? She still didn't know, all she knew was that she was lost and couldn't pick up Shadow's scent.

She could still hear birds chirping overhead, which only made her more nervous that maybe her companion couldn't hear her calls. Her paws wet aching, since she had been stuck to the fence, she never got to walk this far into the woods, or anywhere period, sure it was nicer than her own little territory from before, covered in actual grass instead of a stony texture, but she still hot tired easily.

Even the though of water made her drool, water, something with no real specific taste, was making her melt at the mere thought of it. Perhaps she was going insane without real food and water for a long time?

A loud noise that sounded like a 'thud' made Cinder flinch, was someone following me and I didn't notice? She asked herself and turned her head to where the noise came from.

Another bush ly under a tree, though it looks as if something had disturbed it's shape. It also had a scent to it... A wolf scent... But it definitely wasn't Shadow's. Either way, Cinder definitely didn't like it, not one bit.

"H-Hello?" Her voice shook with concern and fear, it could be a nice wolf, one that could maybe even help her find Shadow. But the other half in her was scared, it could be a wolf stalking her to chase her off their territory.

She heard another rustle and the bush shook, Cinder was frozen, waiting for a voice or some sort of response, but when a head popped out of the bush it startled her and make her yelp, jumping back. The wolf that popped out had a light blond fur color, her muzzle was lighter than the rest and her ears had dark tips.

Her eyes were similar to Cinders, they were a light blue very similar to hers, but we're a bit more pale. She blinked at Cinder and tilted her head a little, before jumping fully out of the bush and shaking her pelt clean from the green leaves.

"Hello there!" She piped out happily trotting up to Cinder, her fluffy tail swaying back and forth with Rhythm. From the way she acted and the tone of her voice, Cinder guessed this wolf was only a pup or a lot younger than herself, making her wonder.

"Hi... I'm Cinder... What's your name?" She asked calmly, also extremely relieved the blond seemed very nice. The other only seemed to get more giddy, giving her a wolfy smile.

"My name is Hope! Is great to meet you Cin... Cind... Cindy!" She said and giggled, trying out a nickname. It shocked Cinder a lot, but after a second she also giggled.

"Well Hope, it is very nice to meet you as well, say, do you live here? Or do you know this place well?" She asked, hoping it was a yes so could have help in finding Shadow or maybe making it back to her old home.

Hope tilted her head again, confused at the question but smiled not long after and begining to  answer the question. "Of course I do! I live with friends nearby! Say, earlier did I hear you calling for someone named Shadow-?"

"Cinder! There you are!" Hope's words were cut off by a familiar voice. Both head turned toward the voice and both seemed relieved at the sight of Shadow, her bright red eyes seemed brighter than before, and she seemed glad to find them.

Cinder quickly noticed the rabbit hanging from the dark females mouth, it's body was limp, meaning Shadow had cought the animal from earlier. "Thank gosh, I was so worried!"

Hope got very excited at Shadows entrance, her tail going faster than before, "Shady!" She exclained with a lot of excitement and ran to meet her halfway. Cinder followed buy not as quick as Hope, her tiredness seemed to come back making her went to black out.

"Oh Hope" Shadow began, dropping the pray at her paws, "Hey pup, I see you've met Cinder?" She said with a hint of amusement in her tone.

The young blondie nodded excitedly, looking back to her new friend and back at Shadow, "yeah, yeah! Is she joining the pack huh? Is she?! Is she?!" She said fast, not as clear as Cinder preferred. 

Shadow chuckled put her paw on Hopes head, causing her to whine and push her off, "Hey!! I'm not a little kid!!" She complained only making Shadow more amused.

"U-Um.." Cinder's voice cut through the conversation, causing both to look her way. "Can we hurry up...? I funny wave be rude but I can barely feel my paws..." She said softly with a light giggle.

Shadow could feel her cheeks warm up, not understanding why, but didn't really mind either. "Sure, come on, Hope can lead us."

"Yay!!"