The Tiger Within 20 A Gentle Lie

The wind had picked up speed as darkness fell, ushering in the evening chill. Kyera stood in human form, clad in a long rich brown dress at the door of the old man's hut looking out at the shadows as they danced with the moon. The animal shapes were clearer at night, they were no longer just hapless blobs. Foxes, wolves, squirrels, tigers, bears spirits of all shapes and sizes dashed across the jungle yard. A small smile curved her lips, as Kyera's hand went to gently fondle the purple stone around her neck. The moonlight brought out warmer hues in the cool stone, a soft vibration tingling in her fingers as she stroked the surface.

"Ky, its working. The infection is showing signs of healing. He will be fine." Verone told her, gently wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her back to his chest. She smiled softly her hands covering his on her waist. Both tigers stared at the moon in human form.

"one day you and I will dance beneath the moonglow, shadows forever intertwined in soul." he said softly, watching two foxes long pa.s.sed as their spirits chased and nipped lovingly at one another. They would never be apart again. That's what he wanted with her, for their final ending. However, as pleasant as that thought was it was always followed by uncertainty. Uneasy feelings settled in his chest but he pushed them away, focusing on the woman in his arms and the years they had spent by each other's sides.

He had been only 10 when Kyera Shade of the Moon had taken up training with his team. She had been 8 at the time but she was a fast learner and could dance with the best of them. They spared together a few times her first week and he quickly realized she wasn't learning from him as much as he was from her. Not that it was much of a suprise, she had 4 elder brothers back then. All four were deadly fighters and were determined to train their younger sister well. Kyera had flourished and as she grew stronger, so had their bond. He wasn't sure how it happened, but he knew when it had.

She had just turned 13 when he had realized she wasn't just a warrior, but a girl with a soft heart. Her brothers were brutally murdered by a traitor who had been after her head. Each of the four fell while she had escaped. All but one of the attackers were killed when she sounded for help, but it was too late for her brothers. She had become Princess in one evening, her tiara soaked in blood. That was the first time he saw her cry. He had walked to her, intending to ask if she needed a place to stay only to find himself caught in her embrace. She had cried into his chest, and he had held her through the emotional storm raging in her. He had decided then she would never suffer alone again.

Verone was brought from his memories as she sighed in his arms, her hand reaching out to touch the gla.s.s window. A shadow mouse sat on the sill and danced as her hand pa.s.sed near it. A soft sad smile curved her lips, but thankfully he couldn't see it.

"Maybe." Kyera whispered the lie as gently as she could. There would never be a place for her in the shadows. She knew what awaited her in death, her work would never be done. Just the form of her duties would evolve as she entered the spirit world.

"We will just have to see where the wind's take us, for now it should take you to bed." He replied rubbing his hands over her arms. She flinched slightly and then tensed, instantly cursing herself as his eyes widened. He felt the heat from her skin through the light dress she wore. Grabbing the sleeve, he pulled it up and inspected the delicate golden skin beneath.

There staring back at him were several patches of skin, his eyes cut up to meet hers his face dark.

"What Happened?"