Hunter or Hunted??

Memorial of Cinder

We got to the memorial spot right in time for the fire to be lit as the hog was getting rubbed down with a moist spice mix and stuffed with apples and spices. When the coals started showing the pots around the stone outer circle would get put on them with a variety of soups and broths. I was especially excited for the bag of vegetables in the hogs mouth that would be perfectly roasted and spiced from within. I loved celebrations, there was always a feast of some sort and I loved the different smells and textures of everything to eat!

That's when I smelled a familiar scent that I loved more than food, it was a strange type of love though. I wasn't attracted to her in a way where I wanted a high school sweetheart, I wanted to protect her and make sure no one ever hurt her. The first time I saw her change into her white panther I was so intransed that I hardly could continue balancing up the tree I had been climbing. She was snow white with grey, almost periwinkle blue spots. When she walked into a room you could tell that she was royalty, her soul seemed to call for attention and respect.

That's when the lights went dim and we were all directed to the open field where the memorial would take place.

A woman in the middle of everyone looked to be praying.... she lowered her arms to the ground while sitting and than rose her arms up into the air, "Protect my daughter wise and ancient forest, return her to me when I come looking." she stood up and wandered off to a small child she put her hands on her shoulders and then ran off, glancing around in search of danger. The child wandered around and a tree walked over to hold her, at that moment a gust of glitter ran over the ground whisping through the crowd. The cloud covered the center of the field and as the actors removed themselves from the area a reflection of the past showed itself as if to give a real feel to someone in the audience. It showed everything that Cinder had went through first hand and then as she floated in the air being transformed you could see so much strength, love and kindness in her eyes... in her soul... a tail appeared and ears as white, soft and fluffy as could be there was no mistaking her and Rayne as not being relatives because in morph form and normal form they could pass as sisters or even twins, for the most part.

You could see as Cinder lost consciousness and then all the children started to glitter and float as they transformed into their very own morphs. They were all very young, Rose was the oldest and she was only 13 she had long beautiful fire like red hair with snow white skin and brilliant green eyes but when she morphed she was a beautiful red and white fox with the same amazing green eyes!!

She was the of one I recognized by name but as I watched them transform I noticed a black panther that looked extremely similar to Jack and I which made me want to know more. Not sure who I'll ask later but there must be some kind of history on the original 25.

I glanced over at Jack and I could see that he had noticed the transformation also. I wish I could get a rewind to see what he or she looked like before they morphed but this was way more than I had ever wished to find out tonight.

The mist of glitter swirled around and changed into a view of Cinder outside on a root rising from the pond around Mother Nature with 24 shadows off in the background that were only noticeable if you were looking to find them.

Cinders pov....

Aurora flew down from the trees and whispered in Cinders ear as she landed on her shoulder, "You're Uncle is hiding on the other side of the valley, he's greatly wounded but not dead. He also has your mother... it seems she wasn't the woman hanging.... he must have had their clothes switched some how.... I didn't see anyone else but that doesn't mean she's the only survivor."

"Thank you, Aurora." I nuzzle my forehead into the feathers on her cheek and continue, "You really are one of my best friends, I'm not sure what I'd do without you. Not to mention I love seeing you gorgeous feathery self!"

"Ok.... Ok.... I get it!! What do you want?" I guess I had ruffled her feathers a bit with all the sweet talk so I giggled.

"Can you get to my mom and talk to her? See if she can give you any more information since she's there and my Uncle is probably keeping her pretty close to him so she might know what he's planning. Take this with you...." I take out some parchment and pen to write a quick note to my mother and add a fresh parchment with a pen before rolling it up and connecting it to Aurora. "Tell her that I love her and I'm planning to come get her but I need more information to make this work."

With that she bowed her head, nuzzled my cheek and hopped off my shoulder to fly away into the night.

Shane's pov....

I wonder how long it took for them to learn all of their morphing abilities, if they were taught or had to figure it out themselves.

I glanced around to see everyone's reactions, some of the elders looked a bit mystified and I wanted to know why... is this not how these events typically go? I nudged Violet who had helped me find my way around the castle the first time I was inside, she knew where everything was and is extremely intellectual.

"Where can I learn more about who the original 25 were? Is there a history recorded of all this and why are the elders looking mystified at the moment?"

"This is all new... they've never done anything like this and in all honesty I'm not sure that the vision we're watching was conjured by the elders." she giggled "The way they look, they might as well have seen a ghost. They look terrified and unsure of how to do anything about this, if you ask me." she was extremely humored by the whole event. "To answer your questions on the original 25 you could read up on the subject at the library in the castle. I can help you find answers to anything you'd like but it'll come at a cost...." her smile was always so warm and loving.

"What's the cost? You know I always enjoy your company Violet and I would help you without a deal being made...."

"It's more of that I want you to think about some things but I can't tell you what it is until after we go to the library because I have to show you something first."

I nodded my head in agreement grabbed her hand and we shook on it. "Tomorrow morning then. I'll see you at the entrance to the castle." Then we went back to the vision.

Cinders pov....

With Aurora on my shoulder and Shadow as my feet I searched for anything in the woods that could aid me in my journey to save my mother but it felt pointless. Just as I was about to turn around and head home I heard howling... "I'm telling you, don't trust them.... they'll betray you in a heart beat, this is a bad idea..." Aurora said under her breath to me.

"A bad idea you say?" Came a very deep and gravely voice that almost had a growl to it. "Why have you come to my territory and what are you? I've never smelled anything like you before..."

"Pay no mind to Aurora and take no offense please, as a crow she is naturally afraid of anything that sees her as prey." I said as boldly as I could. "I am mystery, I'm not sure what to call myself honestly. I am the woods... I am the wind... I am in search of an alliance to make both of our clans stronger in many ways. My clan is small at this time but we will grow and flourish, we will do what is needed to help your clan do the same if you agree?" I bowed my head in respect to huge and very beautiful wolf in front of me.

"I will gladly take your offer and I'd like to ask what you have to offer and what you need at this moment? "

"I am the best hunter in these territories, I can bring you any meat, herbs or roots you desire. I am also very good as a doctor, a friend and a warrior. I can build a fire a roast an amazingly savory feast. Take your pick..."

"and what you're needing help with?"

"My mother was kidn*pped and I need help retrieving her. Could you all come back to my home and we can discuss this over food and drink?"

"I will discuss this with our elders."

He left for quite some time and I was starting to get worried but we were on our way in no time with their whole pack. The wolf I had been negotiating with was Fester, he was their chief in ways and top warrior. As we talked on our journey I realized that I had made an agreement for them to pretty much become a part of our tribe, which I have no problem with the more the merrier. Some of their tribe had been slaughtered by a group of men that had invaded their territory and they had elderly and young ones that needed companions while those capable hunt but they didn't have the numbers for that anymore, my agreement with them would absolutely make both clans stronger.

After eating our fill and settling the elders and young into the tree houses that Grandmother Whisp had prepared with the 24 transformed children, Fester and I planned our strategy to get my mother back. We left as soon as everyone was sleeping and as we slipped out of the trees my grandmother closed off entrance to anyone other than those that had exited with me. Fester and his warriors watched in amazement as I morphed into my white panther form and trot along beside them, no one would suspect what we were heading to do and that was how I liked it.

"That's amazing! How long have you been able to do that?" Fester was in awe and you could see the respect for me grow in so many ways.

"It only just happened a few days ago, I'm not very use to all of this just yet but I am very glad to not be the only adult around here anymore." I told him about everything that had happened to us and he swore to stay by my side along with his clan.

Shane's pov....

but why aren't they still with us if that's how our history started? Everything seemed so strange and as the thoughts popped up in my head the glittery vision almost seemed to pop and send glitter everywhere....

"Now... now... everyone.... everyone.... may I please have your attention!? That wasn't suppose to happen and I'm not sure what it exactly was but let's finish eating and get back to our nights.

I was so tired I headed home and don't remember anything after laying on my bed.