FSE

Furry search engine

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Hey, thanks for waiting whilest I finished this. Just a short one this time, but the next one should be ready soon, so keep an eye out. If you read it and have an account on this site, please take a few minutes and tell me what you thought about it. I really appreciate it when people do that. Anyway, hope you enjoy it.

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Continued from A Matter of Trust...

Jessica woke slowly, her mind unwilling to leave the warmth of her dreams. Her consciousness rose slowly within her, dragging her to wakefulness. She kept her eyes closed, savoring the delightful heat that covered her. For a brief moment, she imagined that it was still summer and that their flight through the cold was nothing more than a bad dream. 'When I open my eyes, I am going to see my room in the academy.' She thought, but she hoped it was otherwise. Though she felt a secret guilt for it, she enjoyed the embrace of her tiger companion. She moved a hand, and when it encountered warm, soft fur, she rejoiced. She opened an eye slowly and found that the cave was not completely dark. It was filled with a slight, pale light that she hadn't noticed when they had arrived here. But, the light didn't hold her attention very long, for her mind was occupied by the sight of Cerule's fur a moment later. It filled her vision and she breathed deep the particular aroma that emanated from him. Though she couldn't describe the smell, she found it very comforting and it made her smile.

She hadn't had a chance to notice before, but Cerule's fur intrigued her. Each individual hair felt like it was giving off heat and it was so soft against her skin that she snuggled closer to it, idly running her fingers through it. After a few moments, she jumped when a low rumble passed through the body she was laying against. She immediately stopped stroking, fearful that it had been a growl. The rumble stopped and she looked at Cerule's face. To her surprise, he appeared to be still asleep. But he was smiling. She grinned to herself and started to stroke his fur once more, watching as the smile widened. The rumble began again and she rested her head against the great cat's chest. The rumble was quite soothing and she lay for a while, listening to his purr, strangely content. She started to drift off to sleep once again when she heard a chuckle. Startled, she looked up at Cerule's face once more and found him with one eye cracked open, gazing at her.

"That tickles." He whispered and she pulled her hand back, suddenly embarrassed. His eyes opened a bit wider and he protested. "Don't stop, it feels good. I like it."

"How long have you been awake?" Jessica said, suddenly suspicious. He smiled coyly at her and her heart gave a jolt.

"Before you were." He said and laughed. Jessica made a face and hit him in the shoulder, though not hard. He laughed harder and she joined him, their laughter filling the cavern. When at last they calmed down enough to speak, Cerule continued, still chuckling. "Do you feel better this morning?"

"Yes." She said and began to extricate herself from his arms. He didn't protest and let her roll away from him and stand. She expected to have cold air slam into her, but, to her surprise, the air of the cave was warm. Not nearly as warm as the embrace of the tigriss, but definitely warmer than outside. Something rustled behind her and she turned to find Cerule holding out a grey mass of cloth to her. She looked at him without understanding for a moment before realizing that she had no clothes on. She swiftly grabbed the robe that Cerule held out to her and pressed it to her body, covering up quickly. While she did so, she looked at Cerule, but his eyes had never strayed from her face.

Cerule turned around and Jessica couldn't resist the temptation to look at his nude body. As he dressed himself, she enjoyed the view of his toned back and rear. While he covered up, she felt stirrings within her of a feeling she had never felt before. It was a giddy feeling that made her heart race. She quickly clothed herself, looking away from the Tigriss before he turned around and caught her staring at him. To cover her embarrassment, she looked instead at a patch of the wall that appeared to be glowing. When she looked closer, it appeared to be a sort of moss that glowed weirdly. She continued to examine the moss until she heard the hollow sound of wood knocking together. She looked around and found Cerule piling some wood in the center of the cavern.

She stared around and found the cavern she found herself in lined with stacks of cut firewood and sacks made from hide. While Cerule was striking flint over the piled wood she walked to the nearest sack and examined it. She found it filled to the brim with dried meat and vegetables. She smiled. The cave was indeed a haven for the winter. A sudden flare of light filled the cavern from behind her and she turned to find that Cerule had lit the fire. The smoke from it drifted slowly up towards the ceiling and then off down one of several connecting passages. She sat down by the fire and watched as Cerule set a metal pot over the fire, filled with water from the pool where they had come in. She sat down before the roaring flames and stared into the fire for a while without speaking. She wanted to speak to Cerule about what had happened the night before, but she found her emotions running wildly through her. Elation at having survived; worry about the future and the strange giddy sensation that still filled her. She couldn't speak for fear that her voice would betray the strange emotion.

Cerule tossed some vegetables and meat into the pot and then set the lid on it so it would stew. Then he sat back and stared into the fire as well. Jessica got up from where she sat and moved over to sit with him. Cerule had leaned back against the wall and she sat with him, leaning her head against his shoulder. He settled an arm around her and she looked up at him briefly, marveling at the reflection of the flames in his eyes. She looked back at the fire and the pair sat like that for a while until the stew was ready. Cerule served some into bowls and handed one to Jessica before sitting back with his own to eat it. The only sound between them was the crackle of the fire while they ate. Then, Jessica finally managed to master her emotions and speak.

"We almost died last night didn't we?" She said and saw Cerule nod.

"It was a very near thing." He said after a moment's pause. "Any longer in the water and we would have frozen."

"How is it that you produce so much heat?" She asked, stirring her stew to cool it a little. "You are always warm, but last night, it seemed like you were radiating it."

"I was." He said. She spooned a mouthful of the stew into her mouth and chewed a chunk of meat for a moment. "It is a magic ability that Jeno taught me to use. It costs much of a user's endurance to accomplish, but it can save lives. When I used it last night, it cost me nearly all my strength, but I couldn't let you freeze."

"What?!" She said, loudly enough for the sound to echo in the cavern. She looked at Cerule and found him looking at her without remorse, a serious expression on his face. "You mean that you almost died to save me?"

"Of course." He said and set his stew bowl aside for a moment. "Listen to me Jessica. You are the only friend I have ever had and I have deep feelings for you. If the need arose, I would willing give up my life to save yours. As long as I live, I will continue to put your safety ahead of my own."

"I couldn't live with myself if I was the cause of your death." Jessica said, looking at him in surprise.

"And I couldn't live with myself if I let you come to harm." He said and his tone silenced her next question. Without another word, Cerule lifted his bowl and began to eat once more. Jessica went back to her stew in silence, thinking about her protector. His unquestioning speech about dieing for her, while flattering, brought to mind things that she hadn't thought about. The fact that he was willing to die for her made her aware of just how much she must have meant to him. It also made her wonder if she was willing to allow him to make that sacrifice. Her troubling thoughts continued to bother her while they ate. When they had finished the stew, she put the thoughts into the back of her mind, but they still warred with each other. She wasn't able to settle her mind as she sat there, the memories of the cold of the water under the ice filling her mind. Trying to banish the memory, she struck up a conversation with Cerule once more, guiding the talk away from recent events. However, when the water in the corner of the cave turned black with the night once more, the pair spread out blankets to sleep.

They lay down as they had for many nights, side by side. But Jessica found herself unable to drift off. The dark thoughts rose in her as she tried to sleep once more and would not go away. Seeking comfort, she shifted over so she laying against Cerule. Then, she wrapped her arms around him and felt his arms embrace her as well. She smiled at him and snuggled close, desiring the comfort of his arms while she tried to sort out her thoughts. They soon slept once more, wrapped in each others embrace...

***

For several days, they recovered from their harrowing journey through the ice and snow. Jessica explored some of the side caverns during the day and delighted in the wonders of the beautiful cave formations. The food was plentiful and Cerule was delightful company. He often entertained her with his flute or with stories of his journeys as they sat around the fire at night. The days began to blend together and they soon settled into a routine in the cavern, safe from the weather and wind. But, after a time, the caves no longer seemed wondrous to Jessica. The food was the same thing everyday by necessity and it no longer tasted as good as it had before. Cerule was out of stories and his flute was no longer as wonderful as she remembered. She became bored and sometimes became annoyed at the Tigriss that had led her here. They began to argue and fight needlessly, almost as if trying to find something to do. Cerule never seemed to get angry, and his voice always remained quiet; which irritated her because she couldn't stop shouting at him. One evening, after a fight over how plain the food was, she even considered trying to swim out of the cave through the freezing water, but she retained enough sense to avoid going into the water. But the one constant thing that made the time in the cave almost bearable was that they always managed to make up before bed and sleep in each other's arms.

Then, one morning, Jessica awoke to Cerule gently shaking her. She yawned expansively and looked at him.

"Come with me." He said, a smile playing the corners of his mouth. She stood up and followed Cerule as he led the way down a side tunnel, a torch held high in his hand. He led the way until the tunnel split into two paths. He led her down the path to the right and kept on going. They traveled for a good five minutes before Jessica spoke.

"Where are we going?" She asked, for they were far from the campsite.

"You will see." He said and continued his walk through the cave. Finally, after a quarter of an hour, Cerule paused before an opening in the wall and turned back to her. "Do you know what today is?"

"No." Jessica said, feeling curiosity beginning to take over.

"One year ago today is the day that you saved my life." He said, his eyes glinting in the light of the torch. "I didn't thank you properly at the time for saving my life, so I have a gift for you. I discovered this cavern a few days ago and it is the most precious thing I could think of to give you." With that, Cerule took her hand and doused the torch. He led her forward and into the dark chamber through the opening. The moment she walked beyond the cave opening, she felt an immediate feeling of a vast open space before her, though she could not see it. Cerule guided her to a flat topped rock and whispered for her to sit. She did so and Cerule released her hand. She heard the faint rustle of his clothing as he walked a few steps away and then she was enveloped with the purest silence she had ever heard. It was so deep that she swallowed the question she had wanted to ask and just listened. The complete silence of that cave was oddly peaceful and she felt a measure of the stress that had been building fade away within her. Then, a single, low note from Cerule's flute reached her ears.

The note faded away but the echoes of it carried on out into the cavern. Then, another note was played, louder this time, and its echoes rebounded back to her. Then, Cerule began to play a tune. At first, it was simple, composed of only low notes. But then, the song picked up and higher notes were played, the beat quickening. But to her surprise, the notes of the first tune did not fade away and instead sounded as if they were still being played. A third tune resounded with the other two, then she heard Cerule's voice adding to it. She was amazed, for it sounded as if he was singing and playing three different tunes at the same time. But then, images began to float before her eyes in the darkness. The music blended into the background and Cerule's voice narrated the visions that filled her mind.

The song he sung was the story of a boy who journeyed alone in the wilderness. He was alone and friendless, and sad for he had never known the joys of love. Then, one day, he met a mysterious woman. She cared for him and helped him survive and he was happy, for he had found a friend at last. Then, he had to leave his friend for he was being hunted. It was only after he left that he realized what he had had. For the first time, he had found love. He hurried back to his friend and the pair decided to stay together, for the woman loved him as well. The pair faced numerous trails and dangers side by side and lived in happiness despite them. Then, one day, the dangers were at last ended at they could live without fear. They finally settled in a peaceful land and lived happily for a long time. Their children grew and they grew older. But, one last danger came for them on a dark night many years after the others had long faded. A deadly beast came for them and gave them a choice. One could save the other by giving up their life. The boy chose in an instant. He willingly gave his life for the only woman he had ever loved. But, his love refused to allow him to face death alone. The pair died as they had lived, side by side, joined by love. And with that, Cerule's song ended. The last echoes of sound faded away and Jessica came back to herself.

She realized then that Cerule had been singing of the two of them. The depth of his feelings filled her and she realized that he loved her with all his heart. And in that instant, she realized that she loved him dearly. She made a fateful decision in the silence of the cave. She would no longer hide from the feelings she had for him.

Filled with resolve, she rose from where she had been sitting and walked towards where Cerule was standing. She needed no guidance to find him, for her heart led her with unerring accuracy. When she reached him, she reached out with trembling hands and embraced him. She didn't care that she was crying from the volume of emotion she felt. All she cared about was the tigriss in her arms. Before Cerule could react, she kissed him on the lips. She didn't care if Cerule pulled away from her in the next instant, for she wanted this badly. To her surprise, Cerule did not pull away, instead, he took her in his arms and pulled her close, returning her kiss with a passion that she hadn't known he felt. After an eternity in the darkness of the cavern, the sweet kiss ended and they held each other. Jessica spoke after a moment, her whisper not carrying in the darkness.

"I love you Cerule." She said and her embrace tightened around him.

"And I you." He replied and kissed her neck. This unexpected kiss sent shivers down Jessica's spine and then, the giddy feeling welled within her. She didn't resist it this time, instead letting it fill her. Her heart sped up and her breath quickened. She suddenly felt hot and desire filled her. She kissed Cerule's neck in return, tracing the line of his neck above his clothing, and felt his fur ripple as he shivered. She suddenly realized that the thunder of a heartbeat in her ears was only half her own. She could hear Cerule's heart beating swiftly beside her and she felt him kiss her neck once more. More feelings stirred within her and she realized that she could see Cerule as if light was coming from somewhere. His eyes attracted hers once more and, as blue eyes stared into aquamarine, a single desire became mirrored in their eyes...

To be Continued...