It had been too long. Simaea had gone out for herbs and Malia had tagged along, but it had been too long. Something was or had gone wrong, she could feel it in her bones. That's why she found herself out of the territory once again. Maybe she would go by their scent, find them somewhere near home? She was tired, and she was hungry. Winter had sapped up most of her strength. Inali had been out since early morning and she was tired, oh so tired, but she pushed on. Clambering over snowbanks and dead branches, her paws moved on their own accord. They led her through Drooping Willows, and the frozen over marshes, until she reached Iridescent Lagoon. There was a lone figure, not too far away. Moving ever closer on her quiet paws, the woman tried to determine who it was. Whoever it was, they were frantic. Their movements were panicked, and then abruptly just stopped. Inali had crept in so close that she could see scars. Familiar scars. She would recognize those neck markings anywhere, though they had hardly ever bothered her as of late. This wasn't just some loner, this was Whisper Cavern's lost healer! A relieved whine slipped out of her muzzle before she could stop it. Opening her maw, she spoke in a gentle tone, almost reverently. "Simaea?," she breathed out. Where she was standing, Inali couldn't see the familiar body layed at Simaea's paws. From her vantage point, all she could see was Simaea. And she felt such inexplicable joy, Inali couldn't even understand it herself.

The scarred woman shifted, and that's when Inali saw it. Not it exactly, but her. The little spitfire that had showed her so much contempt because the affection her brother held for her. Anguish consumed her, for even though at times she didn't get along with the pup, she still loved her. Simaea's words barely made it through her grief fogged brain.

"I was too late Inali, I searched and searched but I was just... just too late."

Slowly, Inali made her way forward to the two creatures, one dead and the other very much alive. Her muzzle briefly met Simaea's before Inali's eyes finally laid on the fallen body up close. She lifted one paw and carefully closed the little girl's eyes, for she was no more. Oh, what fear she must have known in her last moments? What fear to know that no one was in sight to help her, to save her. Inali glanced at Simaea. The women was breaking in her guilt and anguish, and all the petite woman wanted to to do was to wrap her in her embrace and take away all the pain she was currently feeling. Inali had to be the strong one, she couldn't bare to see this beautiful woman in front of her in such anguish.

Inali tentatively moved closer, burying her muzzle into Simaea's furry neck. Hoping that she wasn't making the woman uncomfortable, she opened her muzzle and murmured the following words. "It is true, Simi. She is no longer cold. She is warm, well fed and happy. She is looking down on all of us, experiencing not only our struggles, but our happiness as well. I must believe that, for this terrible grief will consume me if I don't." Her voice was bit choked, but she got the words through. What were these strange feelings? Why did she feel like she had to protect this woman from all the pain this world possessed? Was it because Simaea was her friend? That had to be it. Yes, it had to be.

She smelled so good. After weeks of traveling, Simaea's natural perfume was stil strong, and it was enveloping Inali's senses. For one precious moment, all she could hear, see, touch, feel, was Simaea. Until the moment was broken by Simaea's voice washing over her. Shivering slightly in plesaure?, the woman finally puled away. Her thoughts conflicted against one another as she stared at Malia's body. What the hell was wrong with her? A little girl laid dead at her feet and she was thinking about some she-wolf?! Simaea spoke of saying their goodbye's and Inali briefly nodded. Yes, there was no time for other things. Lowering her head in respect of the dead, she whispered her final words to the girl. We will miss you, little one. May the Fates take care of you and bless you." Inali blinked, not expecting to feel such pain for a pup that was not even her child. But, she had watched and loved them since they were born, so all the pups were like her children. It hurt, but she didn't want to wallow in grief no longer. The snow was already starting to cover the girl.

Turning, Inali looked in the direction of home. Her voice was soft but firm when she opened her maw. "Come," the command easily slipping off her tongue. Continuing, she glanced at Simaea. We must tell the pack the news and I need to see your injuries." The determined look in her eyes was replaced by one of genuine worry and concern. Locking eyes with Simaea, her questioning began. You are a healer, yes, but you are also injured. Don't think I haven't noticed your limp and your paws are bleeding." Her gaze clearly meant she wanted an explanation. She didn't notice that this worry seemed to surpass that of what she would feel if Simaea was a regular pack mate.

At her words, the healer gave her the biggest smile she had ever seen on the woman. It was absolutely dazzling, and all she could do was stare and blink in shock. Who knew she had such a beautiful smile, Inali thought. Finally snapping herself out of her stupor, the petite woman couldn't help but return the smile. It was impossible to not return the smile. Inali was happy that Simaea was happy, for she had hated to see the woman in such great despair. Her eyes were bright with relief as Simaea spoke, reassuring her that her injuries were minor one's, not anything serious. Opening her maw, you could hear the relief in her tone as she spoke. "Well, good. I'd hate to see a beautiful woman like yourself in pain." The compliment escaped her maw before she could help it, and she burned in embarrassment. Inali looked away briefly, but then turned her gaze back to the healer in front of her. She was shocked at what she saw, though she didn't let it show on her face. Simaea was smiling at her all normal-like, but her eyes were telling a different story.

Her earlier blunder of embarrassment was forgotten, and the woman regained her natural confidence. Slowly gliding over to Simaea, she remembered words that her mother had once used to describe her. At times you are clumsy, but even then you seem to move like a gazelle. Well, now she was all wolf. She was the predator and Simaea was her prey. Inali's movements were slow as she closed the small distance between them, a coy little smile playing upon her muzzle. "Do you see something you like, Simi?," she questioned in a whisper, her tone flirtatious. She had moved close enough that Simaea would probably have no trouble hearing her. In fact, Inali had moved so close that she once again ran her muzzle across Simaea's furry neck, taking in her scent. It's like she couldn't get enough. Did Simaea also feel these strange emotions? Only time would tell.

Simaea's head weaved around and bent to reach her ear. The words that reached her ear almost made her collapse. Holy shit, her mind said. Inside, she was hyperventilating. Big time. The chemistry flowing between them could be denied no longer. But to hell if Inali wasn't woman enough to realize that she was scared shitless. Scared shitless of these new feelings consuming them both, scared of how others would react. To others, she knew this wasn't their definition of 'normal'. But what was normal nowadays? If Inali felt an attraction to someone, whether it was male or female, was it really wrong to pursue the object of her desire? She didn't know the answer yet, but what she did know was that she didn't want to break this moment. Through her internal turmoil, outside she had kept calm. Even when she felt her heart would beat out of her chest because of how hard it was beating.

Softly humming her pleasure as a response to Simaea's words, the rust-hued fae couldn't help what she did next. Blaming it on her hormones, Inali lifted her head a bit. Planting small "kisses" on Simaea's shoulder, Inali craned her neck so that Simaea could do as she pleased. Inali knew she needed to stop. Both of their hormones were on overdrive because of the nearing spring. She didn't want this...whatever this was..to get out of control. They needed to calm down, cool down and clear their head. But damn if Simaea wasn't sending white hot pleasure through her veins. Reluctantly, Inali began to pull away murmuring,"We need to stop Simi." Taking one last sniff of Simaea's heavenly perfume, the fae pulled away completely.