Bramblepoint (M) Old wounds leave big scars

There was familiarity and warmth there, despite his bedraggled appearance, and Towhee found a disbelieving smile crawling across her face. What were the odds that Rue and Rye would reappear within weeks of one another, after more than a year had past since the quakes? But she wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. With all the tragedy lately, her old pack mates were a sight for sore eyes.

"I've missed you too," Towhee said as he came nearer. She stepped forward to close the gap, ignoring a twinge of pain in her pelvis. She wanted to make a joke about her death, though she couldn't bring herself to do it, not with all the losses lately. Instead, she added, "Where have you been? You look all..." She made a couple gestures and then laughed dryly before adding, "You should come back with me to the caldera. That's where we're living now."

Towhee turned to point at it behind her, mention something like, "The gang's all there." But when she twisted, a searing pain ripped through her belly, dropping her to the ground with a gasp.