He'd waited for long enough. The white wolf had passed by - he'd hid away from her, trying to push the memories out of his head. Cloudberry had come, he'd hidden away, too ashamed to show his face. The owl from Rift's kingdom had come too and he'd watched from the bushes, wishing she'd hurry. He wanted to go in. But he also didn't, because Blackberry was in there.

He was wrapped in sorrow and confusion; hatred, pain, shame, and pity all wrapped up into an odd, confusing mess that not even Shiny, furiously grooming his shoulders, purring, and whispering soothing words through their link could calm down. Eventually, he turned back and, as gently as possible, picked her up by the scruff, and set her down in the bushes. She was so surprised by this act that she didn't resist at all and simply stared up at him, eyes wide. Huckleberry leaned over her, forcing a smile onto his face. "Shiny, Shiny, Shiny, stay here. Okay? Stay here. I wanna talk to Mama alone. Please. Don't listen, not now. I gotta do it." He reached down and nuzzled her affectionately, before turning away and stepping up to where Rift was standing.

Even as he walked away from Shiny, he felt an emptiness settle on him. He knew that she was ignoring his senses now and it made him nervous, almost like he was a dog off its leash or a child set free into the world, without the supervision of its parents. He felt naked, exposed, and extremely fragile.

No, no no no I'm strong! I've been working with Mercurius! I've been getting better! I need to be stronger now! It's important! He affirmed this to himself and stepped up next to Rift. The cougar looked at him with surprise before his expression changed to one of understanding. Wordlessly, he nodded and looked away, giving Huckleberry the privacy he needed.

Grateful, he slunk under the tree roots and immediately spotted the cage of thick, sturdy branches and a familiar ragged form underneath. He froze where he was as the scent poured over him. It smelled like home. It smelled like Mama and Papa and all the siblings. It smelled like blood.

Automatically, he moved forward and sat himself down, eyes staring wide at the cage, before he finally managed to choke out some words. "Hi, Mama."

She was exhausted. She wanted to sleep. She wanted everything to just stop. She didn't want to think anymore or speak anymore. She wanted it to be over already. Or, at least, she wanted to be left alone. A part of her wanted Rift to come back in and stay with her, but the side that still held onto all of that bullshit she'd shoved away hated her for thinking that. He was the enemy, right? No, he was good. He didn't deserve what she'd done to him and his family. Nobody did.

For a little while, it was quiet, so Blackberry let her eyes slide shut, hoping to let the embrace of dreamless sleep comfort her for a little while, but two words were spoken that shattered the hope for momentary peace. Her eyes snapped open to find that familiar face, those red eyes, the blue gem, and the long, ugly scar staring right her.

No. This couldn't be happening. Not now. Not while she was on the edge. Huckleberry could push her, so so easily he could push her, and she'd be gone. Just seeing him, seeing how familiar he was, it sent a cold shiver racing through her body. Not him, anything but him. Anything. ANYTHING!

She was shaking already. Just the sight of him had gotten her too close. "No," she whispered. "I can't right now. Please don't, Huckleberry. I'm sorry."