The blazing fire from the torch guided Sable in the darkness. She listened to the cricket's chirps and the echoes of the owl's hoot as she cautiously treaded below the starlit night. The waxing moon infiltrated pale light through the nestled canopies, relaxing Sable with a sense of calmness despite the situation was stressful. It felt as if the ethereal moon was watching her, guiding her in the darkness.

Sable rarely went out in the Ajar Forest at night because as a human, she lacked night vision. She only slept under the open sky just to see the full moon or even an eclipse. However, the ranger felt a different type of aura walking in the night than in daylight. The night appeared quiet and empty, but it was alive with nocturnal activity. The wild ruled the night, and sometimes Sable wished she could join them to experience the wonder.

Sable had actually encountered an alacat once around her territory, but she attracted one by accident. She left out bone remains in the open and forgot to bury them beneath the soil. She recalled the excitement watching the predator claim the bones with its eyes reflecting light in the darkness. If the ranger had night vision, she would be able to hunt in the day and night, which would be very beneficial.

When the dark lake appeared in the distance, Sable hoped that Bluey was hiding in the tree den where she had first found her. As she started heading toward the area, a twig snapped behind her. Twirling around in the sound's direction, Sable felt her heart beat rapidly. Within many feet away, a pair of glowing eyes spied her behind a tree.

Sable frowned with disappointment. She hoped it was Bluey, but it was just a lone deer. "You're very lucky that I'm not going to hunt you," Sable whispered. She waved her torch wildly in the air to shoo the deer away. The deer galloped quickly away. Despite it was mean of her, the ranger only meant the best for her safety. She did not want any bear or alacat to end up stalking her instead because of the deer.

The thick tree den came into view. Bending down on her knees with anticipation, Sable shined the torch through the hole. It was empty.

Hope slowly left Sable's face. Bluey would not end up here again anyway, Sable thought with a sigh. What if I'll never find her? Squeezing the torch tightly in her hand, Sable fought back the frustrating tears forming in her eyes. Who knew that taking in a cub would also mean risking a painful loss. Sable released her tears, crying at the tragic possibility that she had lost Bluey forever. It felt as if the world was falling behind her. She had never felt so much sadness in her life before. Life would not be the same again without Bluey. It was probably what all mother animals went through.

~~~

It was midnight, and Ruby and Elia lay restlessly on their bedrolls inside the tree cavern.

"Elia?" Ruby whispered as she rolled over to face the warrioress. "Are you awake?"

"Yes," Elia replied without turning around. She was staring blankly at the thick ceiling of roots.

The redhead sighed. "Sable isn't back yet. I feel a bit worried about her."

Elia turned her head to face Ruby. Although it was too dark to see Elia's eyes, Ruby could feel that Elia was worried as well.

"Me too, but you need to try to sleep." Elia said softly. "She'll be back. She's probably searching in the whole forest for the cub." However, Elia was not even sure herself if Sable was going to return soon or even in the morning. The most she could do is hope that Sable would find the alacat cub and return safely.

"Probably," Ruby responded. "She really cares about that cub."

Elia did not know how long it was, but it felt as if eons passed as her eyes stayed open. Eventually, the sound of Ruby's gentle breaths caught the warrioress's attention. The redhead had managed to fall asleep. Turning around to face Ruby, Elia stared at her sleeping face. It felt soothing staring at her; she was beautiful despite it was dark. She could still make out the lines of her complexion.

Elia's hand moved slowly toward Ruby's cheek, hesitating to touch them. She took a deep breath and allowed courage to break her free from her intimidation. Elia gently touched Ruby's cheek with her hand, and her eyes fell on her small thin lips. If only she could kiss them; it would not be gentlewomanly of her to steal a kiss.

Elia returned her hand back to herself. There was no doubt that there was so much to like about Ruby. She was still the same since childhood but scarred from her past. Lying back down, the warrioress hoped that one day she would make Ruby see that she was beautiful.

~~~

Sable had fallen asleep in the depths of the Ajar Forest, dreaming.

Sable wandered around the forest still looking for Bluey. She kept walking until she reached the lake. There was someone standing on the sandy shore; it was her grandmother.

Sable ran toward her excitedly, calling after her. Her grandmother smiled warmly with her round, vibrant, green eyes. Her eyes had always reflected the soul of an ancient forest that was full of wisdom. A wisp of silver hair was blown loose from her long ponytail. She was wearing a deerskin tunic just like Sable.

Sable ran closer and closer to her, but her grandmother got farther and farther away. The ranger ran across the waters of the lake and followed her grandmother to a rocky cliff. The old woman stood on the ledge of the cliff. Sable flew up beside her and grinned happily that she had finally reached her. When Sable hugged her grandmother, she found herself embracing the alacat cub.

The chirping of birds woke up Sable in the darkness. Bluey was still alive.