The Familiar Hearts (Formerly Known as The Familiar)

Chapter Seventeen

I was sprinting. I was bolting in an unfamiliar place into an unfamiliar forest. I didn't even know why, but I was. The hard earth crunched underfoot and trees of green lined my path. I walked straight on the footpath as the light of the sun lightened the way.
All of a sudden, a gnarled twist of a root snagged my clothing and I slipped. My weight was tossed to the side as I became unbalanced and I was sent tumbling to the right. I rolled head over heals down a slope as branches and stone tore at my clothing covered skin. My outfit did little to help and when I finally stopped, I was a mess.
I previously pulled back hair hung in my face with clumps of dirt. My clothing was tattered and my skin nearly as much. Pain rippled all over my body, but still I stumbled forwards. I slowed seconds later. Quickly following behind stood Rossa. She was twice her size now, a small tiger in her own right. I recalled what she had said to be a while ago. When she had told me her name, she had told me two. Her last name, Rossa Tigeria. I guess she was a tiger, as her name said.

I turned around as Rossa gave a low menacing growl. I turned to see Tamira on her knees by a burnt house and a person crouched in wait bearing a wepon. I opened my mouth to shout when -

Something jumped onto my chest before darting away. I scrambled in the dark knowing not of what was happening. In my movement, I fell off a small drop from a ledge onto a hard wooden ground. My breathing came in ragged short pants as my eyes tried to focus.

I realized I was no longer in the forest, but a bedroom. My bedroom to be exact. That didn't help much to sooth me as my attacked might as well be in the room still. I lunged to the bedside lamp and flicked the switch.

As my eyes flicked around the room, movement's from my left. A flash of indescribable color. I turned to find......Rossa.

Are you ok?

I drew in a deep breath. With a shake of my head I signaled that I was not. Suddenly it occurred to me her name.

"Rossa, Rossa Tigeria." Rossa's eyes widened and she stiffened.

Yes, she said hesitantly, as if she expected something bad to happen, that is my name.

"You're actually a tiger or part tiger, aren't you?"

She nodded slowly.

I am a t-tiger. Her voice in the link cracked.

Pushing past the upset from the fact she was a tiger and didn't tell me, I became concerned.

"What's wrong," I said.

I understand if-if y-you, she paused with a deep breath, would like to break the bond.

"Rossa, what are you talking about? Why would I want to break the bond, you're amazing? I understand that you were dishonest, but that doesn't mean I want to break our  bond. You're my fluffy something, the best thing to ever happen to me!" I paused thinking of something. "Do you want me to break the bond?"

I honestly didn't want to break the bond, but if Rossa really wanted me to do it, I would. I ment what I said, Rossa is the best thing to happen to me,and I love her enough to let her go. She was family, and I would do what I could to make her happy.

I hurts to think that she would want to leave. I mean am I really that unlikable. I thought we were doing good.

No, Rossa screeched shocked through the link, I was - I was just expecting my bonded to reject me when they found out. That's the major reason why I kept the secret. I didn't want you to feel pressured to not reject the bond. You are the amazing one Sabella. I'm sorry, the thoughts just made me believe it to be true when you found out. I am again sorry. She ended with a rub to my arm with her side. I hugged her to my chest.

We stayed like that for a while, just hugging. I don't know how long, but soon my wall clock chimed the time of seven. After the procession of sounds, Rossa shifted out of my arms to a few spaces away.

Didn't you forget my name, I only told you it once and you forgot? How come all of a sudden you remember? She questioned.

"I...I had a dream. You were there and Eira and Tamira. There was a burning house and a person with a weapon.
When I saw you I just remembered your name. Your full name."