Snippet #1779660

Ari had heard the man coming before he had entered the clearing; that, and the memory of Kirsten had ruined her fighting spirit. She waited until after Sean had gone before sitting up and shifting uncomfortably in her muddy clothes. She slid out of them and shifted into a large black cat, her body twisting and turning. She was charcoal colored and her body was covered with lighter patches giving her beautiful spots. She shook her pelt, her eyes glowing and she bared her fangs, stretching out her jaw. Her red nose worked the air, testing it and riffling through it. Finding nothing, her mouth gently wrapped around her dirty clothes and she sprang forward though the trees. Her claws dug into the bark as she clawed her way up, leaping from tree to tree. Her black fur rippled as a small breeze blew across it and she caught the sweaty scent of a man and the sweet deadly scent of a women coming from the direction of the house. She yowled as she passed near it before turning and running the opposite direction.
The trees whipped past her, swiping her face and catching at her paws. She looked over her shoulder, the silver fading from her eyes quickly. She needed to change back and fast, or she could be stuck in this form forever. She slowed, her tail switching back and forth as her ears flickered back. There was water nearby and Ari desperately needed a wash. Her eyes focused on a large tree that was just out of reach for one of her normal jumps. She crouched, rolling her shoulders, and her tail continued to flick back and forth. Her mussels tensed and she leapt forward. Her large paws reached out and her eyes twinkled with triumph as her claws sunk deep into the bark. She slid, causing a couple huge gouges to appear in the tree as sap sprang forth as tears. Ari sprang off to a larger branch where she paused, raising her massive head up toward the sky. Her pink nose tested the air and she leaped down through the branches into a small lake. Her cat body scrambled away from the water, her eyes fading to a silvery green. She had found the water and now she needed to shift.
Her eyes burned silver and her whole body twisted up. She rose up on her hind legs her claws pawing at the air as she roared, her human skin sliding up over her cat form. Black became blonde as she changed, her body shaking horribly as the cold air brushed against it. She fell into the water, unable to stand, the clear spring rising up above her head to engulf her. Her green eyes blinked through the surprisingly clear water and she released all her air as she kicked he way up to the surface. She rose up, only her shoulders sticking out of the water, as she swam toward the edge, grabbing a bit of to rub into her scalp. She did so before grabbing a sharp rock and with a clean slice she cut off her hair. The golden strands clung to her fingers as she tossed it into the brush near the edge of the water. She knew it was rash and childish to chop it off but Sean had reminded her that it could be used against her. Her eyes softened at the thought of his face before she shook her head and screamed. Birds flew up from their nests and feeling slightly guilty she slipped back under the water, the short hairs whishing across her face. She stayed under the cool water until her lungs burned for air and she rose, gasping. Ari looked at hr reflection in the stream, cursing as she realized that her tattoos were showing. They were beautiful but they were her marks, if Kirsten cam hunting or anybody else she would be recognized. She carefully reached up to touch one, the girl in the water mirroring her movements.

Flashback- about 3 years ago->Newhaven

Ari wandered the dark streets of the city. There was no moon here to light her way and so she used her curse to gift upon herself the night time vision of a wolf. She was lost and she had no idea where she was going but her nose caught the sharp smell of ale and so she decided to turn off the main road and into a side alley. She should have seen something, heard something, smelled something for heaven’s sake but she didn’t. The women had sprung from the roof tops and landed on her, knocking her to the ground and pinning Ari to the street. Ari tried to scream but the woman’s hand clamped over her mouth with a rag that smelled sickeningly sweet. She tried to fight, but her body didn’t move and she suddenly found herself very, very sleepy. Knowing she shouldn’t sleep; not here not now, she fought against it, the press of the rag becoming harder against her mouth and nose. Ari couldn’t fight, she slept.
Ari woke in a small room, a blaze flickering nearby and her face stinging like fire. She was tied to a bed and based on the ruckus below she was inside an inn. She shook her head, turning to face an old woman with long silver hair and a wicked smile on her face.
“Now now,” she cackled as Ari flipped against the ropes, “You are going to have a wonderful life, sweetness.”
Ari kept her body still as she slowly twisted her wrists, rubbing them raw with the rope. Her eyes were taking in everything with sharp accuracy; the poker by the fire, the chair by the window, the dagger by the woman’s hip.
“You’re too pretty to be wandering around alone, and there is many a man here who would like to see you,” the woman nodded to the door as a large man entered, his eyes were black as night and his hair gently fell over his shoulders.
“My face,” Ari whimpered, feeling her hand slip in her bonds, her wrists bleeding, “what did you do my face?”
“This mark I have gifted you with,” the old woman spat, standing up and heading toward the door, “Is the mark of the sensual. “
Ari cringed, the mark of a whore. She had seen them before on women walking on the street though they were all different they all shouted the same damn thing, “Take me!” The woman left, closing the door behind her as the man took off his red cloak and walked briskly to the bedside. Ari’s eyes flashed silver and her one bloody hand slipped free from its bonds, her leg striking out at the stranger. He stumbled back as it caught him in the stomach but not before she was able to snatch the dagger that was at his hip. She sliced through her bonds and leapt up, grabbing the hot poker and blocking a blow from the man’s sword. She was only able to defend for his strikes were numerous and quick, his face lit up in a smile, something childish about it. She swiped her hair out of her face and threw the poker at him, watching as he dove to avoid the red hot thing. She turned, diving out the window and landing in the streets below. She lay there, gasping for breath against the pavement before she saw him stick his head out the window, look at her and then duck inside. She struggled to her feet and ran; she bolted out of Newhaven and into the forest.

Reality-Near the Camp

She blinked and grabbed her muddy clothes and dragging them under the water. Stupid memories, they always took her attention and it was the simple things that triggered them. The water was already a murky color and as she washed her clothes the water turned black. She frowned, seeing that the clothes were no better and the water could not take any more dirt. She wished the water clear again and sighed. As if by magic the water began to roil and grow hotter, the dark color becoming clear again. She laughed at her good fortune, quickly washing the dirt from the shirt, and as she removed herself from the water she was feeling much better. She slid on her wet clothes and began the search for some sunlight.
The forest hid it well and it took her what seemed like hours of wandering to find a large patch. She entered it, watching nervously as the deer wandered away from her, but didn’t run. She stood there for awhile letting the sun dry her, carefully watching as the deer wandered around her, finally comfortable with her presence. When she was almost dry her stomach rumbled and she ran back toward the direction of the camp. Thinking twice though she turned, heading east.
It didn’t take her long to find her tree, towering tall against all the others. She kissed its bark gently and walked around it until she found the root she was looking for. She slid under it into the belly of the tree, her home as far as she was concerned. Singing quietly to herself she searched around for something to eat and was pleased when she found a piece of dried deer and an apple. She changed out of her combat clothes and into a beautiful, loose white top and a pair of black pants. She grabbed her bag, a quiver full of white arrows and her favorite bow, richly decorated and crafted with incomparable beauty. Then she slithered out of her tree home and started heading back to camp, munching happily on her deer.