I'm Stuck in a World of .Make-Believe.

[x-Ginger-x]

Raven's pawsteps had grown heavier over the passing moons, as she grew more and more pregnant. She had nursed Ripple back to health, and the pair were now hunting together like they used to before Ridge attacked.

Now she was safe again, and so was Ripple. She grimaced at the mistake that had caused this ugly battle, but knew that it was all over. As she was thinking, she didn't realize where she had come to. It was the beautiful wind river, which she remembered from when she was a kit. She hadn't been here since, but she still dreamt of the beauty of this place, and now she was living it again. As she sat down next to the river, she silently vowed her kits would see this place too. They would love it here.

With her mind wandering, Raven didn't hear the rustling of the ferns behind her, and didn't bother to chase the bird. There was enough food for her and Ripple back at the barn, and there were loners who didn't get a proper meal. Leave the bird for them, she decided. She turned her head and watched the water cascade through the river, thinking about nothing and everything.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

His side still ached some when he moved early in the day, but he was all but entirely healed. His mate had healed him, and gave him the strength he needed. He lifted his head and took a deep breath taking in the scent of his mate and the world around them. He followed her, and wouldn't let her out of his sight for longer then a few moments. His kits were carried within her and never should he let anything happen to them. She was in no way able to fight for herself anymore. She was soon due, and he never knew when Ridge might attack again, and never again would he be caught unawares. He flicked his tail and padded up to the river beside her. he sat down wrapping his tail aroudn her oversized middle, and nudged her with his shoulder. "What are you thinking about?" He asked licking her ear, and purring softly.

((P.S. she couldn't have been here as a kit...because this is the new lands. =D))

[x-Ginger-x]

ooc;; Haha I forgot about that. Oops. Thanks. ;D

bic;;

Raven's eyes captured her mate as she felt his nudge. "Look who's up and trotting around!" She joked before laying her head on his shoulder. "I'm thinking about the first time our kits will see this beautiful land. I remember when we first trekked here, and how much we loved this place. I hope they do, too." She smiled at him, before lifting her head and watching the water.

The smile on her face dropped off as she thought once again of the fight. She felt so guilty about the battle, because it was her fault. "Ripple... I'm so sorry about Ridge. If I hadn't run off, this would have never happened. I- I don't know how I could've been so senseless. I know you're going to tell me to be quiet, but I can't help but blame myself. Ridge wants me dead, and I know that he'll never give up until either he dies trying, or I die.

"But before you freak out, I'm not going to give myself up to him. I need to be here for you and our kits. But we need to be on constant vigilance. He may try to take our kits to use them as hostages so I'll give myself up. I think we need to get help from the clan cats, and try to run Ridge and his gang out of here." She dropped her head.

"If that idea is too outrageous, we can train so we're stronger, then face-off with him. I know we'll come out the winners, because we're stronger." She shook her head. "I'm sorry, This is just what I've been thinking." She looked over at Ripple, and was tense for his reaction.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Ripple's shoulder ached badly and his ribs were still sore, but he was managing. He looked at Raven as she spoke and tilted his head to the side. His expression changed repeatedly as she continued. The last expression which was held on his face was that of rage. Rage that Ridge still held this power over his mate, rage that the fight still hadn't proven thrie power to him, and rage that he couldn't argue with her. He flicked his tail and nodded slowly, calculating the cost. "You won't be able to leave far from the barn soon, and we can't travel to the clans just yet. I'm not that fit." He said the last part angrily. He hated not being able to care for his mate. he had only started getting up and moving over the last couple of days. in truth this was the furthest he had been away from the barn in over 2 weeks. He flicked his ears and growled lightly. "In a few moons time our kits will be here, and I will have to care for you and them. Perhaps we should go to Glacierclan. Sapphirestar has always been welcoming to us." He thought of the next sentence he was about to say and took a deep breath. "Perhaps we should ask her for sanctuary, at least until our kits get old enough to travel back to the barn." he closed his eyes and flicked his tail over her shoulders. "Then we can face off with him." He said, his voice angry, and charged with rage. "Then, we will kill him and you will be free from his grasp forever."

[x-Ginger-x]

Raven flinched as she noticed Ripple's rage. She flinched when he spoke. "I like the idea." She put in about visiting Glacierclan. "But will we be able to travel to Glacierclan with the kits?" She fretted. But she kept switching her mind. "If we went there, the medicine cat may be able to fix you up better than I can. but I don't want to leave the barn. What if we leave, and Ridge shows up to finish what he started, and finds it empty? He may claim it for his own." She dropped her head. "Oh Ripple, I'm so sorry I got us into this mess. If I hadn't have been so stupid, none of this would have happened.." She shook head head slowly as the realization hit her. It was her fault that this had happened, and she wished she could turn back time to make everything okay.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Ripple flicked his tail over her mouth. "In a few weeks I will be fit enough for travel, and you won't have had the kits yet. We can go then." He let her speaak again, and he growled slightly, anger again filling his eyes. How could you let this happen to her, you can't protect her you weak excuse for a cat! he heard the voice in his head as clear as if Ridge was standing beside him. 'She wouldn't dare complain to me like that...' I'd of kept her mouth shut long before this.' the voice said, and he growled again turning slightly to catch the murderer behind him. But there was nothing except the vast expanse of moor land. He flicked his ears nervously before turning back to Raven. "You musn't think like that. That is where his power lies!'' He said and stepped forward nuzzling her neck. " the past isn't important...it's the present and the future that is." He said and pressed his forehead against hers and closing his eyes. he pushed the voice away, and sighed inhaling her scent with his next breath. "We will defeat him, you must believe that. I will protect you." he said the last words with conviction more for himself than for her.

[x-Ginger-x]

Raven nodded her head and swallowed. He was right. She needed to think they would win, and Ridge would die at their paws. "Thank you, Ripple. I love you." She pressed her muzzle against his and found comfort. "We will defeat him, you're right. And if you want, we can go in a few weeks. It's up to you. You know I'll go with you wherever you want to go." She looked into his eyes and smiled at him. "Come on, let's go back to the farm. It's a little chilly out here." She stood up and shook her pelt, fluffing it out against the chilly wind, and pressed herself against Ripple. "Come on." She smiled and started onward, knowing he would follow her.

He was so loyal to her, even after everything she had done. She knew he was a much better cat than Ridge, and she didn't know why she wanted Ridge, even for a short time. She felt so stupid and regretted leaving Ripple. She knew he was much better suited for her, and he showed it in every way. She turned around and smiled at him again, before continuing on.

[[Ridge] of [Sapphire] light]

Ripple watched Raven turn and leave. She had conceded, he knew she would. He flicked his tail and turned to follow her but thought better of it. He had some things he needed to think about. He looked at her confidence in his eyes and spoke softly "Ill catch up with you in a few minutes...I...I uh need some time to think." He mewed and smiled lightly at her. "Don't worry." He said and flicked his ears before turning back to the River. He stared into it's depths contemplating the fate he had brought upon his family. By aiding the clans, he had brought carner's hatred upon him...Raven didn't know it, but Ridge was really after hurting him. By giving the clans shelter he had offended the rogues. He shook his head and sighed. He saw the face of his enemy in the water that he stared in, it was glaring at him. more angry than he had ever seen him. He flicked his ears and snarled at the water. "You will never have her again. You took her from me once...and still she fears your name, but she is mine" His eyes flashed and he struck a paw out at he water. HIs claws slashed trhough the face, but it seemd to smile. It's evil Maw opened and an errie laugh filled Ripples ears. 'She will never truly be yours so long as she fears me...' With that the facde disapeared and Ripple was left alone the laugh resonating in his ears. He turned and with an angry snarlbegan t pace up and down the river. "How can I protect her if she doesn't trust me? How can I keep her, if she fears him. her fear only gives him power. Yes she showed today that she isn't afraid to fight for me, but...her fear of him, shows nothing but my weakness, and her inability to trust me..." He sighed and stopped his pacing before he looked to the sky. How can I protect the she-cat I love, if she doesn't believe in me.' He thought. He looked to the ground his eyes closing slightly feelign like the lonliest cat in the world. He couldn't protect his mate from the one cat she feared...how could he protect his family when they came? Again he was running to the clans for aid. He had heard of his sisters death, and hadn't been back to the clan since, but knew it was time to visit Sapphirestar, and Taintedfaith. He shook his head again before sighing and feeling a little better for venting his anger to the sky and ground, turned his lungs, and ribs burning and bounded off to catch up to his mate.