The Blue Eyes of Sparrow

Chapter 9: More Friends

 Fleck lay miserably in her nest, eyes closed, trying to sleep. But she could only wait in blackness as she waited, until she could she bear it no longer; she opened her eyes and pressed her paws over her floppy ears, trying to block out all the sound.

Several days had passed since Floria's death, and Fleck had barely moved, and eaten, since she brought the news to Finch, who seemed motivated to make her eat, pestering her until she had taken at least one bite, then pushed it away, insisting she wasn't hungry.

And if she was, it was making her suffer silently, since almost all feeling of her body had disappeared since the witness of the terrible accident. All Fleck thoughts was that if she had moved quicker, or at least listened, Floria would still be alive.

I wouldn't be surprised if that white wolf came here and openly blamed her of Floria's death. Mused Fleck, burying her muzzle in her legs.

She groaned again and squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to hide in to comforting warmth of sleep, but something seemed to fight against it, maybe it her conscience, or maybe not, all Fleck knew was that it kept her from sleeping, which annoyed her deeply.

Fleck twitched oner ear as paw steps coming towards her, and over the edges of the ferns, she could see Finch's tawny-golden ear-tips.

Coming to pestering me to eat, I suppose. Fleck sighed out loud, studying her paws as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.

Teeth met her scruff and she was being dragged out of her nest, and Fleck yelped, eyes wide.

Finch dropped her gently, and it took a moment for her to speak. "Wha-" muttered Fleck.

Finch shoved her face in hers, eyes blazing. "What is wrong with you?" he demanded. "All you've done is mope, it's not helping you or anyone else, so why?"

Fleck took a deep breath. "I-" she hesitated. "I.... I killed Floria." She admitted.

Finch looked at her steadily. "She gave her life for yours." He conceded. "But you did not kill her, it was not your claws that made her die, nor your teeth that took her life, therefore you did not kill her."

Fleck continued to look at her paws as Finch continued. "Floria was always an outspoken wolf, loyal and protective, she would have died the way she wanted to, it's just too bad that it was so tragic, she was so young." Fond grief brimmed in his eyes. "We grew up together." He whispered, his voice breaking. "It's hard to believe she's gone."

Fleck felt tears slip from her eyes, but she knew it was true, she understood now.

Floria did not die at my paws, she died for my sake, if you can hear me, Floria, I will never mistake your sacrifice again, I promise. Fleck could almost see Floria beside her now, eyes gleaming with happiness. She just wished she could be sure it was her.

Finch shook his head, eyes glittering faintly with sadness. "You should eat, you need your strength, Fleck." He met her pale blue-eyed gaze, love shimming in his eyes. "I can't lose you too." He whispered.

Fleck felt her gaze soften. "I will do just that."

Finch nudged a gopher toward her. "I saved it for you..." he admitted shyly. "In case you got hungry."

Fleck nuzzled his cheek. "My favorite." She breathed.

He nuzzle her back. "I know." He murmured.

She dipped her head to take a grateful bite, realizing how ravenously hungry she was, gulping down her meal, cleaning her face before going to the pool for a long drink, half-closing her eyes with relief.