Bearclaw Valley You choose the door you choose the path

She furrowed her eyebrows as a shot of pain went through her, yet as he smiled, she felt a bit of peace warm her, and  her lips turned up as well. Fresh moss. That would help him. She would have to leave the den. Yet before she could move, he scooted closer to her, and she felt his warm breath rippling her fur. He was alive. The thought hit her again as only a few days ago she had thought him dead.

Then he spoke, and breath hitched in her throat as she blinked. Moments became minutes as she thought what he had just said. Her thoughts immediately went back to what she had said to Mawk what seemed like ages ago...

Please, understand. I...I don't wish to leave. Yet the emptiness, the...yearning for something more. Have you ever felt a longing for your brokenness? That you aren't whole, brother? That there is something, maybe..someone who could fill the void?....... Seeing you with her...it's beautiful, yet..painful. I have only met one that has made me feel complete, has filled that void, even if only for a few minutes. Yet he disappeared, and the longing and loneliness grew sharp. I...I need to try to find him.

And find him, she did. The one who filled the empty place in her. The happiness that had warmed her heart before spread through her body, and deep brown eyes became soft. Nuzzling him, her voice was soft, and she lightly pressed her cheek against his and spoke. I love you, Dakarai, and I will not leave your side for another for as long as I can draw breath in these lungs. I will be yours for as long as you want me. I have been searching my entire life for someone who could fill the yearning, the emptiness inside. And now, my love, my search is over. I am yours.

As the quiet words left her, so did the doubts, the emptiness, the push to keep searching. She had found what she was looking for. She was complete.