ｓｅｔ ｍｅ ｆｒｅｅ， ｌｅａｖｅ ｍｅ ｂｅ．． ｉ ｄｏｎ'ｔ ｗａｎｎａ ｆａｌｌ ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ ｍｏｍｅｎｔ ｉｎｔｏ ｙｏｕｒ ｇｒａｖｉｔｙ.

Lotus was pushing his way through bushes. He was tired and very hungry. But he couldn't go back. His uncle had banned him from ever returning to his family so he was looking for his sister. She would kindly accept him back into the fold. His uncle was power hungry and just because he had stood up for his mother he was banished from the family, thrown out like garbage. His heart was heavy and low as he lifted his baby blue eyes up to the sky. There was really nothing left for him to live for....except perhaps his sister. But it had been so long since they had even seen each other what if she had changed.

His eyes looked away from the sky and he settled near a small puddle. He didn't dare look upon his own reflection. Not after what his uncle did to him. There was a scar that ran down from the corner of his left eye to his chest, one that crossed over his right eye in an oblique fashion, and another that cut across his shoulders on his back. He was pained but this was to be his punishment. His wounds were still tender and ooze blood and a yellowing liquid at times.

[img width=341 height=510]http://th09.deviantart.net/fs7…nt_by_Wakeuphatesgirl.jpg[/img]

Lotus flicked his ginger tipped tail and allowed a sigh to rush forth from him. His bones ached or was it just is wounds? He didn't really know but he guessed it didn't really matter. Getting to his ginger paws the flame point started to pad off again. His stomach gave a lurch and he almost had to stop as a wave of dizziness over took him. He squeezed his eyes shut and pressed on before a scent hit him. He paused and opened his eyes before he took a step closer. "H-Hello? Anyone there?" He mewed in a polite accent.

Lotus was unsure of this. He had ran into many hostile cats along his way and this might not be any different. His ears pinned back as he heard another tom's voice as well as the female's. With slight hesitation he pushed his way past a barrier of brambles and looked at the fox den. "Hello again...um." What could he say? Maybe introducing himself would not be a bad start at all. "I'm Lotus." He spoke gently as he flicked is ginger tipped tall back and forth. He lowered himself to the ground to not look like much of a threat.

The young tom sat up as relief over flowed him. This she-cat seemed nice enough and she was also pregnant. His baby blue eyes looked down into the fox den and he shuffled his paws. "W-Well...I haven't had a decent meal in a while. But you don't have to worry about that Rose." He mewed as he glanced over to her meager little pile in the corner. "Where is your mate? Surely he has not left you alone, not like this." He spoke as he curiously examined the female.

Lotus blinked his eyes slowly as he listened to the female tell her story. "Oh...I see. It is alright. I understand what you are going through partly." He answered her as he took a paw step forward. His body was stiffened as he gentleman side took over. "Um...may I enter your den?" He asked as he waved his tail back and forth. He was one not to enter a place without asking first because that was how he was brought up.

With a slight air of caution the flame point slowly made his way into the den. He settled himself beside the female for warmth purposes. His coat had gotten so thin lately that it was hard for him to get warm at all. "Thank you for allowing me in." His tone was one of pure gratitude as he glanced over a the pile. Hunger nawed at him but he had to make sure that she didn't want anything first. "Would you like to share something with me?"

"I agree." Lotus mewed softly as he moved away and pulled out the squirrel that was in the pile. He moved back to Rose and set it down in front of her. "It will keep you healthy and the kits as well. Also supply you with the milk they will need. Now the lady gets the first bite." His voice held a small note of humor in it as he gazed at her which he though was sort of odd but he enjoyed it. He curled his tail around his paws and yawned softly as he settled back down.

"Oh!" The flame point's ears perked up as he was not expecting that and he took a measured bit from the squirrel. It tasted so good but he would not rush this. It would do no good for his stomach to just pile food in it after not being able to eat for such a long time. "Thank you so much...I'll just stay for the night." He mewed as he took another bite. Then hopefully he would have the strength to carry on the next day.

Lotus took another bit and chewed thoughtfully. "Yes, especially when you have no one...." He mewed as his tone turned sad. He flicked his tail and pushed the squirrel to Rose. "I am done with it. You have to eat." He would have no buts about it as he rose up to groom this thin chest fur.