::All that's Left is this xxSilencexx::

[Roxie !]

The stream known to most loners and rogues as the ideal relaxation spot was now quiet. The tree-surrounded clearing was only disrupted by the soft trickling of the stream. Only one she-cat could be seen there at this moment, and she sat perfectly still by the edge of the water. Dappled sunlight streamed down through the canopy, brightening her multi-colored coat as she sat, letting it warm her. Massie often came here when morning fell upon the loner lands. It was a good place to think, which seemed to be exactly what the she-cat was doing at the moment. She sat utterly still, her ears flattened against her head, and her leaf-green eyes that would have matched the tips of the grass that stuck out through the thin layer of pelting snow, were closed gently. Her flanks rose and fell peacefully, and so it was obvious that she wasn't distressed. No, Massie merely...thought quietly. Peacefully.

The glossy look that her pelt gave off indicated that she had just washed herself. Tiny, frothing specks of the foamy water spashed out onto her paws, but she took no notice. Nothing seemed to matter to the she-cat as she sat there in silence.

[le Dawnz]

Leaves rustled, breaking into the still of the night. Through the braken stepped a ruddy tom cat, his amber eyes resting on the she-cat before him. He was a tall, pretty muscular cat with a great deal of pride. But anyone who didn't know him or got a good look at him would never guess that with the way he looked now. The jagged bones of his ribcage speared his thinning fur that should be thicker for the winter, but still hadn't grown out. And though he wore a smile on his face and stood a little taller then he'd been lately, there was no mistaking the pained look in his eyes.

He slipped up behind Massie, his gaze gentle and loving. Then reached forward until his nose was directly behind her ear before he gave it a soothing lick. Actions spoke louder then words for this pair. Sometimes he forgot how beautiful she could look, and it took his breath away. This was the cat he loved, the only one left it seems now. But he'd trade all of the stars in the sky if it meant he could be with her. And even though he wasn't the mushy type, if he said he'd be willing to find a way to give her the moon, he meant it. And that was exactly the way he felt. But it was hard to express it even more so then usual. The dreams had come again. And days were getting harder and harder to live. Nightmares haunted his sleep, and misery followed the rest of the day. Sometimes he wanted to die. And most of the time he thought that that would be the best thing for everyone, especially Massie. He wanted what was best for Massie, but did that mean leaving her?

[Roxie !]

The she-cat's quiet train of thought was broken at the quiet sound of padding paws. But, taking in Mikkikko's familiar scent, Massie quickly relaxed again as his tongue rasped gently over her ear. For a moment, she sat unmoving, merely enjoying the morning air and her mate's company. Her orange and black tail swept from side to side, brushing against his darker red one before finally curling unmovingly around her own snow white paws. And then, at last, Massie's light green eyes flickered open. She turned slightly, her gaze meeting with Mikkikko's. The love in her gaze gleamed unmistakably, and, with a soft purr, she swiped her own pink tongue gently against her mate's cheek. "Hey," She greeted softly at last, shifting slightly so that she could look him over with more ease, since Mikkikko was standing behind her. "Did you sleep okay?" Her soft, questioning tone was gentle and casual, although there was more reason than usual behind the question today. Whatever nightmare had haunted Mikkikko's dreams last night, it seemed to have shaken him. Massie turned away, her gaze traveling back to the water's edge to stare at their shimmering reflections. She sighed softly. Although the what she had inquired was just a casual, affectionate question, she didn't want her mate to see the concern in her light green eyes now.

[le Dawnz]

Despite her best efforts to sound normal, Mikkikko could see right through her question. Sure it was a casual enough question, but any other day she would have looked him in the eye. Insted she looked the other way, giving away her concern. He didn't want to worry her. But he didn't want to less then honest with her. He'd done enough of that lately. Insted, he just looked away, down the stream that flowed south steadily exept for one or two pebbles breaking into the current. "I'm fine." he answered insted. Which was nearly just as bad as telling a lie. True, he was alright physically. Get the picture yet?

[Roxie !]

Massie didn't respond for a moment. Her green gaze didn't leave the water's rippling surface. It was almost as if she hadn't heard Mikkikko. Her eyes narrowed slightly, switching to her snowy colored paws. No. He wasn't fine, and she knew it. They both did. Massie knew that Mikkikko was only trying to protect her from...whatever had been bothering him lately. But it still hurt. And it hurt just as much to go on pretending that nothing was wrong. The she-cat remained silent for a moment more, considering his response with a small frown. Until, finally, she turned around to meet her mate's gaze again, giving the BloodClan tom a serious stare. "Could've fooled me." She meowed softly, holding the gaze for a moment before dropping hers to the frosted over ground once again. Massie didn't want to push him, and tried to tell herself that it wasn't her business. But it was becoming gradually more clear that Mikkikko was hiding something. This only made her worry even more. With a flick of her orange ears, the loner shook her head slowly before looking away, returning her gaze to the water. If Mikkikko didn't want to discuss whatever was bothering him, she wouldn't push it any further right now. But Massie was tired of merely nodding or accepting it every time he told her that he was okay. Brushing her pelt against his, she glanced up at him once more.

[le Dawnz]

His first instinct was to snap at her and say it was none of her business. But he stopped himself, considering that it would just put them in a worse position. Insted he just looked down at the ground, tracing the outline of his red paws with his eyes. He didn't know what to say around Massie anymore. He didn't want to dig a deeper rut between them by being dishonest and decieving, but he didn't want to drag Massie along for the ride that someone was forcing him on. If he told her the truth, that he thought that someone or something was trying to get at him and ruin his life, then she'd constantly worry and end up getting caught up in all of it as well. But by not telling her, it meant that thing was succeeding. Again he considered the possibility that killing himself would solve everyones problems. The nightmares would be satisfyed, BloodClan would lose a less then worthy warrior that they didn't even seem to care what happened to anymore, and Massie would be safe. It was starting to seem like the safest way out. And the very thing that he wanted, because he didn't even want to live anymore.

[Roxie !]

OOC//Ohhhzz Poor Mikki ='(

IC//Silence was all that followed her comment. Naturally, Massie took this to mean that he indeed didn't want to talk about this...whatever it was. She surpressed a soft sigh, ears still swiveling in every which direction. Maybe she was reading too much into this...maybe it was all for the best. Her calico tail swept back and forth restlessly. The tension that crackled in the silent air now was forboding, warning her to say nothing more about this yet. But could she really just...look the other way again?

"Nevermind,"

Apparantly, she could. Massie's green eyes were glued to the ground now, the word barely audible because of its soft tone. She blinked at last, shrugging it off, and turned back to Mikkikko. A painfully forced smile crossed her lips as the loner attempted to brush the matter out of her mind. "Hey..do you wanna take a walk? It's a beautiful morning." She wasn't really sure what she was doing, but maybe, on second thought, a walk would be fun. Especially with Mikkikko. Either way, it felt better than sitting here in awkward silence.

[le Dawnz]

"Nevermind."

He should have said something. Anything. But he didn't. From the corner of his amber eyes he saw her hopelessly look away, obviously troubled by his lack of cooperation. He focused on his paws again, feeling even worse for putting her out there. It would be better for him to just go and never come back. He was beginning to feel pretty sure of that now. In the awkward silence that really was silent, he just thought, fighting with himself. Silence is so freaking loud! he even thought once out of the blue. Mikkikko was just about to give in and tell her everything if it could possibly make her feel better when she asked if he wanted to go for a walk. He nodded, finally looking up at her. "Sure."

[Roxie !]

At last, she gave a warm purr, before raising herself to her paws. Massie's claws flexed, scratching the ground gently as they did so in a restless manner. She stretched lightly, first her front legs, then her back ones. Giving her calico pelt a refreshing shake, the loner sighed in contentment and turned to Mikkikko. Padding a step or two away from the stream, Massie flicked her tail, glancing back over her shoulder at her mate. Maybe this would be a chance to get away from everything for awhile, and to actually relax. "Where to?" She questioned, narrowing her leaf-green eyes in a slightly playful manner that was merely the result of the sudden exhilaration that coursed through her now. Turning back to the winding forest paths before them, Massie tilted her head slightly. This territory alone held so many different paths to try and explore...but at the moment, she didn't care which one. She only wanted a nice, relaxing walk with her mate, enjoying the sights and sounds that the morning brought them.

[le Dawnz]

Mikkikko stood as well, but didn't bother stretching. He watch his mate as she shook the stiffness from her body, smiling slighty at her beauty. When she looked over her shoulder and spoke, he merely shrugged, but smiled in return, feeling her playfulness rub off on him. Taking this moment to show off a little, he leaned back on his haunches and stretched his back. Flexing his claws and letting them sink into the dirt. He gave her a side glance and a crooked, yet mischievious smile. Trade-mark, of course. He didn't care where they went. But he wanted to spend some time alone with her before he made his final descision. One that would likely change the rest of their lives.

>> Yeah, museless.]]

[Roxie !]

Massie glanced at him, and let out a soft purr of laughter at this. Relieved to see a bit of humor in Mikkikko, at least once, she smiled brightly and gave her mate a gentle nudge. "Let's take this moment to honor the entrance of Mikkikko: the strongest, most handsome cat in the forest! Alright, tough-guy, quit showing off." She teased him, laughing a bit more and letting her calico pelt rub slightly against his dark ruddy one as she slipped forward to survey the winding paths before them, her tail flicking with a sudden spurt of curiosity and energy. With a glance back at her mate, Massie smiled and turned away, her leaf-green eyes narrowing slightly. "Hmmm," She remarked softly, surveying each path. One led away toward the barns and cornfield, back out side of the forest. One led down the stream, deeper into the woodland. And the third led in a sort of uphill fashion, rocky and mountain-like, but still lined with trees. She had a feeling that that trail would give them a spectacular view of the sunrise. "Let's go that way!" She suggested, flicking her multi-colored tail at the third path. Massie took a step forward, purring softly, before glancing back at Mikkikko to speculate his reaction.

[le Dawnz]

Mikkikko smiled that crooked smile of him, only meaningfully this time. He stepped up beside her and pressed his dark pelt to her lighter one. "And at his side the sweetest and most beautiful cat in the forest." But he also couldn't help adding under his breath playfully, "Not to mention the most stubborn." He grinned innocently, waiting for her to turn and give him a less-then-serious glare that he knew she would. Then nodded in agreement. He padded a few strides away before looking over his shoulders and saying, "Bet you can't catch me!" Then he was instantly gone, into the depths of the spiraling trail that led up the mountain.