Clover's Gift (Part 2)

I raced alongside Snow through the frost-covered forest, dashing through bushes, past trees, over logs, and over a frozen stream.  I looked at the Glaceon.  It was painfully obvious that Clover didn't care where she was going, as long as it was away.  "Snow, you should probably talk to her first!  She trusts you!"

Snow hung her head.  "Maybe..."  We pelted on for a few more seconds before Snow started to slow down.  "She's close."

I slowed my pace as well, matching Snow until we were walking.  Neither of us said anything, listening for the distressed Leafeon.  Snow stopped completely, holding her tail up for me to do the same.  I closed my eyes and listened, being not as sharp of hearing as Snow, though it wasn't by much.  Sure enough, I dimly heard sobs and grunting.  It was definitely Clover.

I let Snow take the lead again, her pawsteps practically silent on the snowy floor.  I could almost see her mind working to come up with perfect things to say.  She stopped as Clover came into view.

She was hiding in a large bush, visible to us through the hole she had obviously made when crashing through it.  Tears ran from her eyes and she sobbed quietly, lying on the ground.  As we watched, she stood up, stretched her wings open, then twisted her head around, sinking her teeth into the base of her wing and pulling as hard as she could, wincing with each tug.  The skin around the joint as already red and swollen from the yanking that she had already done.  She was trying to pull her wings off.

I didn't have to say anything.  Snow flew from where she was standing, leaving me behind as she ran to her best friend.  "Clover, stop!  Please stop!"  Clover jumped at her friend's voice, letting go of her wing.  It snapped back into place against her side, with only the irritated skin to mark where it was.  She said nothing as Snow skidded to a halt in front of her.  "Please don't hurt yourself, Clover.  I didn't mean to look at you like that, and I'm very sorry that I did, but it was so sudden, and please don't hate me, and..." she trailed off, looking at the damage that Clover had done.

Clover looked at what she had done to herself and hung her head.  "...No, I was the one who overreacted.  You're right...  And I don't hate you at all, Snow.  How could I?"  She shrugged as she spoke, opening her wings a tiny bit before they retracted.  "I was scared and confused and upset and...  I just wanted these gone," she said angrily, looking at her concealed wings.

Snow smiled.  "Do you remember what you first told me when we met?"  Clover shook her head.  "I was stuck in a tree after a Hitmonchan chased me there?  You saw me and said 'don't curse the darkness.  Light a candle.'  I must have found 20 pounds of apples up there, thanks to you!"

Clover smiled as well.  "We never left each other's sides since..."

In the moments of silence that followed, I walked up to the pair.  "Clover, don't be upset over something that you can't change.  No matter how hard you try," I said, looking back at her swollen wing joint.  "They're a part of you now.  You have to learn to accept that.  We were just surprised when we saw them, that's all.  I mean, think about it.  How would you react if I suddenly sprouted wings without warning or explanation?"

Clover thought about it for several seconds before answering reproachfully.  "...Probably the same way...  I'm sorry.  I may not like them, but..."  She trailed off as she spotted some of the marks on Snow's hind paw from the grass knot.  "What happened there?"

Snow looked away.  "You were scared when you ran away like that."

Clover tilted her head.  "And?"

Snow sighed.  "You kind of... Grass Knotted me and completely tied up the rest of the Clan with thick vines."

Clover's eyes went wide.  "I did?  I'm so sorry, Snow, Splash, I didn't mean to!  Honestly, I didn't!"

I smiled.  "We didn't think you did.  Not even for a second."

Clover sighed in relief.  Warm silence filled the air, despite the frigid temperature.  Eventually, Clover looked at the two of us.  "How did you guys find me out here?  I'm not even sure where we are."  Snow said nothing, only lifting Clover's Snow Day present with her paw.  Clover smiled.

The moment was ruined by Bolt zooming up to us at top speed, then crashing into Snow as he tried to stop.  "Sorry!" he yelled as she and Snow got to their paws.

I looked at the hyperactive Jolteon in shock.  "Bolt, I told you to stay in camp!"

Bolt was panting heavily but quickly as he answered.  "Sorry, Splash.  Had to defy orders.   By the way.  Sorry, Clover.  About what I said.  I didn't think.  I just said it.  Sorry.  Didn't mean to upset you."

Clover nodded.  "It's fine, Bolt.  I was scared.  You're right that you shouldn't have said it, but-"

Bolt cut her off.  "That's great, thanks.  Splash?  Just thought you might want to know.  Espeon's laying her eggs."

 

 

"WHAT!?" Clover screeched.  "I need to be with her!  She needs the Clan healer!" she shouted before leaping to her feet and racing away at top speed.

 

I called after her.  "Clover!  The camp is THAT way!"  She spun around and followed Snow, Bolt and me as we ran at full tilt back to camp. 

 

Bursting through the camp entrance, we were greeted by the sight of practically the entire Clan's backsides.  Everyone had their heads stuck in Espeon's and Umbreon's log den!  I took charge of the situation.  "Everyone, back up!  Give her space!"

 

Clover, though winded, joined in.  "Everyone out!  Make a path!"  Everyone acted like they had been caught doing something illegal.  Surf jumped away and dove into the pond, Inferno skittered away and tried to act innocent, and Umbreon just dove into the den with Espeon.

 

Clover trotted over to the den as Bolt dashed away and tackled Inferno, while Snow sat by the log den, waiting for Clover.  I stood by the camp entrance and listened to Clover's voice, just barely audible in the log den.  "Hey, Espy.  You feel ok?"

 

Espeon's voice responded.  "A little stressed, but happier now that you seem to be feeling better."

 

Clover spoke with a touch of trepidation.  "Well...  I'm not the happiest about having wings, but there were more pressing matters.  Umbreon, I'm sorry, I know you're concerned, but you have to wait outside."

 

Umbreon's protesting voice reached my ears.  "But I have to stay with Espeon!"

 

"I know you want to, Umbreon, but it's better for Espeon if there are less Eevees in a small space like this."

 

"But I-"

 

"Please get out."

 

"But-"

 

"OUT!"

 

"Ok, ok!" Umbreon yelled as he was practically shoved out of his den.  I couldn't help but chuckle. 

 

Umbreon heard me and walked in my direction.  "Not funny, Splash."

 

I smiled.  "Actually, yeah, just a little."

 

Umbreon sat next to me and looked sulkily at his den.  "I thought less than 10 minutes ago, she ran off crying and tied the Clan up with vines," he muttered.

 

I shrugged.  "Well, I think this distracted her.  She was starting to cool down when Bolt showed up and drew her attention elsewhere.  She's warming up to it, but it'll be a bit before she accepts the fact that she has wings."

 

Umbreon closed his eyes.  "I hope Espy's ok."

 

I nodded reassuringly.  "She'll be fine.  With a healer like Clover at her side, I don't think anything could happen to her."

 

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After a tense hour, during which everyone tried to go about their normal activities, Clover stepped out of Espeon's den.  "Umbreon, you can come back inside no-"  She was cut off as Umbreon practically ran her over in a mad dash to see Espeon.

 

Inferno and Bolt looked miffed.  Umbreon's unfinished Pidgey lay next to them, exactly where it was when Umbreon was eating it less than 5 seconds ago.  Bolt had his mouth open to say something to Umbreon, but now seemed frozen in place.  Inferno spoke instead.  "Well, that was rude."

 

I shook my head at them.  "Leave him alone.  He's just worried about his mate."

 

"Splash!"  Clover's voice called from Umbreon's and Espeon's den.  "Come here!  I need you to look at something!"

 

I furrowed my brow.  What did that mean?  Nonetheless, I trotted over to investigate.  "What's up?" I asked as Clover beckoned me in.

 

Clover followed me inside.  "Look."  I scanned the den.  Umbreon was sitting vigilantly next to a sleeping Espeon, who was gently curled around five eggs. 

 

I gasped.  "Congratulations, Umbreon!  You're a father!" I said quietly.  He flicked his tail happily, but I could tell that something was pulling at his attention.  "What's the matter?"

 

He shook his head as Clover stepped over to the eggs.  "Splash, look."  Clover said, carefully moving one of the eggs into the light.

 

"It looks fine," I said quietly, trying to find the problem.

 

Clover nodded.  "It looks normal in the light.  But look what happens when it's in the dark."  Clover once again, Clover gently moved the egg into the shadows.  Suddenly, the green spots on the egg were glowing a soft green, giving off a light of its own.  I narrowed my eyes in confusion.  Clover pushed it back to Espeon.  "What does it mean?"

 

I thought hard.  "You know, Suicune said that Raikou told him that something was wrong with one of the kits.  I don't know if it'll survive or not, but..."

 

Umbreon shook his head.  "It'll be ok, though, right?"

 

I shrugged.  "Maybe.  I could talk to him again.  He might know.  I'll ask Bolt to do the same with Raikou."

 

Umbreon nodded.  "It is getting late."

 

Clover nodded.  "I can't believe all this happened in one day..."  She was right.  The presents and holly berries of this morning seemed days away now.

 

I nodded at the others.  "I think Espeon has the right idea.  I'll turn in and ask Suicune about that egg."

 

Umbreon sighed in relief.  "Thank you, Splash.  Good night."