(discontinued, only here for documentation purposes) Echoes of Fire

CHAPTER 1

"Firestorm! Firestorm, she's waking up!", Dusk called from the hidden camp. They had constructed it in the past four nights— or well, the others had. Firestorm hadn't been able to think straight, not after what happened to Leopard.

The crisp morning sunlight cast down upon her scales. Something she always noticed, as a firescales, was that anytime she was exposed to sunlight, her scales would faintly glow.

The rest of the group was huddled in a circle around Leopard, who seemed to be waking up.

"Huh? Where- where am I?", Leopard looked up, "How long have I been out?"

"Oh, just five days. Not that long," Mist shrugged, "You certainly didn't miss a lot. All we've done is basically sit here."

"FIVE DAYS!? Oh and ouch, my talons hurt.."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Firestorm said quietly, but sincerely, "Dusk helped me fix your gloves, though. There were burnt holes in them before, so I don't know how well I did."

"Thanks," Leopard smiled, "If I could, I'd hug you right now."

"Me too," said Firestorm. She hoped her face didn't look flustered— wait— what was she feeling? And over a rainwing, yeah right. She brushed the thought away and decided to take a flight to clear her mind.

"Wait!", Leopard called as Firestorm was about to take off, "Can- Can I come with you?"

"Yeah, if you want to.. I wouldn't mind."

Leopard smiled as they both took off into the air.

"So," Leopard said awkwardly and looked at her as they were flying, her scales a more pinkish tinge. Firestorm didn't really understand rainwing colors. "I wanted to ask you. Sometime soon, maybe, could we, uh.. go out and do something together? Like, alone, just the two of us?"

"Yes!", Firestorm blurted without even having to think first. She was about to ask the exact same question.

"Great," Leopard smiled, "How about tomorrow, while the others are out looking for resources for our trip to find that prophecy seawing?"

"Yeah, that sounds good... Also, I have something I need to tell you, it's important."

"Oh.. What is it?", Leopard asked calmly.

"I'm sorry. For everything. It was my fault that you got hurt, my fault that you'll probably never be able to use your talons again. I'm so sorry, Leopard."

"Firestorm!", Leopard exclaimed, "You saved my life, if you hadn't pulled me out of there, I would have been killed! It was my fault for not doing anything."

"But still.. If I had actually taken a second to think about it, you would be fine."

"I am fine!"

"Leopard, don't lie to me, you can barely walk!", Firestorm said, concerned.

"Not about that.. My talons certainly are not fine. But I am. We're all okay and that's what matters."

"You know," Firestorm's expression turned to a slight smile, "You're right."