[fancypost borderwidth=0;font-size:8pt; font-family:georgia; text-align:justify; width:400px;]Blood. The memory of it was forever engraved in her mind. Cold lifeless blood seeping not only from body, but spirit as well. She could see it before her, and it was always in the back of her mind. There was no escaping it.
Even her mother had seen it, and soon after no longer could completely trust her young daughter. But that didn't matter now. Any family of her's was dead. It had been self-defense, but she didn't have to kill him. Nevertheless she did, because she simply felt she had to. And not only that, but his soul had been claimed by her as well. What was she now? A monster? A demon? Yes, maybe. Maybe.
But as of right now, the monster could not stand the sight of cold blood. It brought back that vile memory. Of course some blood was naturally okay, such as that from prey or her own. But she could not bring herself to face any other blood. This wasn't the worst thing now, despite this being ever so common in such a fallen and cruel world. The most awful and pathetic thing was she could not even stand to see unsheathed claws, especially her own.
If she did unsheathe her claws, or see someone else's up too close, she would have a panic attack that would always end up with her either nauseated and sick, or simply knocked out and unconscious from fainting. Either way, it was no good situation for any feline, who needed claws for survival. For her, though, it would only bring back his face. And that she could not bear.
Now this body was different. She was not as weak, or even weak at all. Her claws were unsheathed at all times naturally, and her pelt had a beautiful collection of dark spots she could be proud of on top of soft, snow-colored fur. And in this form, she had speed unmatched, extreme hunting and survival instincts, and never had those terrors or visions of him and his blood that haunted her days and nights.
All she needed was strength. Strength to maintain it and her power, and the will to get even stronger. Determination. The next step was joining one of these groups that scattered themselves across the landscape of the world, so she could do just this. Seafoam-colored eyes blinked curiously as the white cheetah closed in on what she had chosen to be her new home and family in a way, if she would allow them to get close enough. Unlikely, but protection was still essential.
She had abandoned her old name and had taken on an alias much more fitting and elegant than her former one. It literally meant 'water lily', and marked a fresh new start that would be worth her while. "Suiren, looking to join the Tribe of Ancient Stones," the cheetah said at the border in her high, soft, yet unwavering and solemn voice.
