#haresage

I turned to look at Rainbow , who's koi tail flicked a little nervously as his eyes locked onto mine . It was clear from his face that he felt nervous asking me this question .

I wondered , just why he would ask something like that , that small part of me locked away somewhere in my paranoid mind goaded me to lash out at him for asking such a stupid question . But it wasn't stupid , in fact .. he was being logical .

I sighed , bowing my head down as I sat on the river bank , looking at him as he swam around in the gentle river . After beckoning for him to come back , I cupped his face in my hands .

' Listen , rainbow . '

I spoke softly to him , which made him surprised . I knew I didn't answer a lot of his questions , but still felt sad when he felt such emotions . A mentor should never make their child feel confused and lost , a proper one , that is .

' Let me tell you a little story , about a heron , a frog , and a snake . ' I began , his eyes brightened at the mention of those creatures , he always loved learning about them .

And guilt gnawed at me , for I knew it was a matter of a few years before that innocent spark in his eyes faded away .

' One day , the frog leaped along the path in fright , as the heron chased him , yelling " i will not be your meal ! I will not be your meal ! " . '

' It finally leaped into the water , swimming away in glee as the heron gave up . '

' and then it found itself in the jaws of a snake , with one snap and one gulp , the snake giggled in glee . " What a fine meal ! " . That is the end of the story . '

I finished with a sigh as Rainbow got slightly agitated , he never liked my ' pessimism ' as Storm put it .' That wasn't a good story ! why did it end with the frog dying ?! he escaped the heron and got into the water ! '

he shot a glare at me when i didn't answer him , probably because I was waiting for him to realize . It was evident he hadn't when he asked ' Why wasn't he safe when he got into the water ? answer me ! ' he got mad and pushed my hands away . I sighed , before beckoning to him again . From the look in his eyes , it was evident he didn't want to talk to me again , but he finally gave in and swam back to me . I looked down at him , my eyes narrowed in tired sympathy .

' because even thought the frog had escaped its predator on land , it had been caught by the one in the water .'

he stopped , looked confused before putting himself on land again . Shaking himself dry and making my clothes wet in the process .

' what do you mean ? '

I paused , and held his hands in mine .

' it doesn't matter which sphere of life you put yourself in . '

I internally groaned in despair , as i saw the realization begin to set in . His movements becoming less frantic , and that spark in his eyes becoming less prominent . He had finally understood the cost of living .

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and understood I had .

I felt nothing but utter despair as the snake tail wrapped around me , almost crushing me .

his laughter rang out as plague finally leaned in to get face to face with me .