FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The cold winter breeze courses through my fur as I slowly tread through the snow. Winter is the most dangerous time of year in the forest, not only for its inhabitants... but for strangers as well.

I look ahead and spot a strange creature that walks on two legs. It's treading through the snow with obvious difficulty. This is not the first time I've seen one of them... they always end up being an easy claim for me.

The creature has no idea that I'm following it. My steps are light; they leave no print in the snow. My movement is subtle like a gentle breeze. I wait patiently for the right moment to strike...

The creature obviously has no idea where it is going; it must have lost its way like all the others before it. It's easy to lose yourself if you're not familiar with this forest. I know where it's heading though; the river.

The forest started to thin out as we got closer to the river. The creature stops. I can tell it is getting exhausted; the frigid air reveals its rapid breathing. The creature sits down and huddles itself. I sit down as well, waiting for the creature to make its next move.

The creature's breathing begins to slow down to what I assume is normal for it. I watch as it stands and starts glancing all around. To my surprise I can sense it felt relief as it stares at something in the distance. I look over in the same direction and lower my ears. On the horizon is smoke. Where there is smoke there is that accursed fire.

I look back at the creature. With renewed spirit it starts to walk in the direction of the smoke. I can't give up now... I keep following it.

The creature is livelier now... it must be excited about getting warmer; a concept I can't understand. I narrow the distance between us as I follow the creature along the river.

The smell of smoke becomes more prominent as we approach. I react with disgust at the foul odor, but the creature uses it as sign of proximity. The creature must think that the worst is behind it. I can't help but smile at the thought of what lies ahead. The creature stops dead in its tracks. Remember the river? Well, creature, to get to your precious flame you are going to have to cross it. I once again close the gap between us, sensing it won't be long before I get my opportunity.

To cross the river would be akin to climbing one of the trees that surrounded the area. The river's flow is calm during the winter, almost still. That must seem enticing to the creature since it carefully places one of its legs into the water. I immediately see it shiver as its foot sinks deeper and deeper into the freezing water.

The creature sinks its other foot into the water, this time quickly. Its entire body starts to shiver as it slowly starts to wade across the river. As it makes its way to the center of the river its body begins to sink deeper and deeper into the water. At the river's deepest point the water is up to the creature's waist. I wonder if the creature is feeling regretful for wanting to cross this river.

I just sit and watch with amusement as the creature makes its way to the other side of the river. I feel a powerful gust of wind blow through my fur, causing me to sigh happily. The wind blows its way towards the creature. It starts to shiver violently as the wind impacts its drenched legs. I make my way to the river.

I watch as the creature on the other side starts moving itself towards the smoke again. It's stubborn, I'll give it that. I glance down at the water briefly before placing my front paw on the surface. The water under my paw turns to ice. Each step I take freezes the water beneath me, allowing me to walk across the river with ease. I hop off the surface of the water and quickly close the gap between myself and the creature.

I am only a few feet behind the creature now. It is moving slower than before. The harshness of winter is finally getting to it. Now is time to make my move...

I slowly approach the creature. As I walk right behind it I can see a chill run down its spine, but it doesn't look behind. The inhabitants of the forest know what's coming when a chill runs down their spine, but this creature is a stranger.... I bare my teeth and quickly nip at its right leg. I step back, sit down, and watch to see what happens.

It takes a moment for the creature to realize what has happened, but when it does it is too late. The creature collapses to the ground, groaning in pain. It grabs onto the leg I had just bitten. It isn't bleeding, and there are no cuts, but the creature can feel pain coming from it.

It's over for the creature; it can no longer move on its own. But just to make sure... I nip the creature's other leg. After another small delay it lets out a scream of pain.

I sit in front of the creature, watching, almost face to face. This is always my least favorite part; I never do enjoy it when my claim screams out in pain.

I sigh... inadvertently sending a chilled breeze at the creature. It looks up, but can't see me. What would it do if it could see me? What would any creature do if it could see me?

I slowly exhale, sending another cool blast of wind at the creature. No matter how painful its legs are right now, it can't deny how calming the cool breeze is. Over and over again I slowly exhale on the creature.

Don't be afraid... let winter claim your soul and become one with the wind. I watch as the creature's eyes slowly start to close. Sleep... I let out another exhale. Just close your eyes... you are my claim now...

My ears perked up; I can sense someone getting closer. I look around. My ears twitch when I hear voices in the distance. They were getting louder.

My claim obviously can hear the voices as well; its eyes fly open and it starts to let out loud noises. I can't believe this is happening...

I sigh heavily, creating a rather powerful burst of wind that shakes some snow off the trees above. I slowly retreat into the tree line and watch with annoyance.

Two more creatures similar to my claim are rapidly approaching. When they find my claim they pick it up and carry it off. How could this have happened? I marked that creature, twice! It should be one with the wind right now. How dare those two deny my claim that opportunity... I decide to follow them.

I follow them to their dwelling. It is obviously a temporary one since these creatures aren't adapted for the cold. They place a bunch of heavy-looking cloths over my claim... lying next to the fire.

Fire... I growl at the sight.

The other two creatures cover themselves up before falling asleep next to the fire as well. I slowly approach...

The closer I get to the fire the more unbearable it becomes. I hate heat so much...

I look over my claim. It is asleep now, but with this heat I'm not able to fully claim it...

"Don't even think about it." My ears twitch. I was wondering when he would come out. I turn towards the flames and scowl. "It's great to see you too, Frost..."

Blaze... my greatest headache. He is the only one who can cause me so much frustration in the winter. He's supposed to be despised by all living creatures... but these unusual creatures can't survive without him.

"You know it feels great to be appreciated once in a while." Blaze smirks as he looks over the creatures. "These things give me life all day long." He exhales over my claim. "And all they ask for in return is my warmth." He chuckles.

I am surprised that he doesn't try to mark these creatures for himself.

"Oh I've tried..." He stretches, trying to reach part of the cloth that covered my claim.

I slowly exhale, blowing the cloth away from his reach. Blaze growls at me. "You know it's not polite to deny someone his claim." Even if I've lost the opportunity to claim this creature I will not let Blaze claim it, the others, or any other living creature while it is winter.

When I claim someone their soul is set free into the wind. When Blaze claims someone, their soul becomes bound to the earth; becoming the grass and trees. We're both needed, but we're both very territorial.

"Whatever..." Blaze huffs. "My time will come in the summer, and you won't be around to stop me." he says with a smirk. I let out a quick exhale at him, causing the flames to wither before growing slightly larger. "Blow at me all you want; I'll just come back stronger."

I blow at him with more force. He starts to panic as his flames grow smaller and smaller. "Stop it you cold-hearted bastard!" I smirk as his flames were nearly snuffed. I relent, however, and let him come back to life. "Surprising... you could have had claim to all three of them if I was gone..."

I shake my head. It is clearly not this creature's time to go. I will not force anyone to join the wind. I start to walk away.

"Spring is coming soon..." Blaze says. "Your time is running out." I can practically feel his grin piercing through me.

Winter may be coming to an end, but the wind blows all year long. I will have my fun with him in the summer. I smirk as I feel the cold wind blow through my fur. Winter is calling for me. My body slowly turns into snow and drifts away with the wind.