It's...... Complicated.

Both mares watched down at the Phoenix herd as the sun began to fall, disappearing beyond the horizon to sleep. Everything was calm, peaceful, and content. The dying spring day brought a crisp evening dew that chilled their muzzles as the pair grazed. Kiara had grown quiet fond of Ebony over the past few years. She was a lot more fun and spunky then Danity, and was fantastic for advise. Not to mention she seemed immune to Kiara's aura.

"Oh, look Kiara." Ebony frowned and turned to gaze at a painted taffy mare with a young colt. "Yuffie is crying again..."

"It must be awful to loose you're mate. I wonder if Varekai is even alive?" Kiara sighed. The mare and her mate Varekai were separated in the war and Varekai had never been seen since. His young son Leon was all Yuffie had left of her missing love.

"She has been crying so much lately. Poor thing.." Ebony shook her head. The younger mare seemed to connect so well with everyone. As if she could understand anyone's pain. Kiara hadn't lost a lover before; she hadn't even had a true love, so she could only dream what pain Yuffie must be suffering.

Both their eyes jumped to their leader, their friend, Demyx. He was approaching the mare with long and steady strides. When he got there he calmly placed his neck over hers and hugged her softly.

"Gee, he sure has grown up these past few months." Ebony smiled. "No more Mr. Crazypants Demyx!"

"I guess he has... I haven't really noticed it but you're right." No rampages, no waves of depression and guilt, no loss or anguish torn across his features. Although out of earshot, Demyx seemed to be giving the mare a talk too and she was more then happy to accept his warm hug. "He's a lot more like his brother now."

"Thorn?...... Yeah, I guess so. Confident, strong, maybe not as independent. Or Bloodthirsty..!" Ebony giggled, then noticed Kiara's silence. "Kiara?"

"Hmm..?" Ebony looked to Kiara, the mare watching Demyx intently. She could tell she was deep in ideas... she wondered why.

"I can't believe he doesn't have a lead mare yet." Ebony continued. "I mean, he's awfully attractive. Wouldn't you say so, Kiara?"

"He's always been a stud, and he's always known it." She shrugged, but continued to gaze on him. "There isn't a mare in this herd that would be strong enough for him."

"Strong, for him? I suppose... Then again, he is suppose to be our leader.. I would like to think he's strong by himself and wouldn't need a mare to help him."

"He's not as strong as he pretends to be."

"Hmm.... he would need a really independent mare who could fend for herself... so he wouldn't need to be worrying about her constantly."

"Mm."

"And beautiful, of course. Such a handsome stud needs a beautiful mare."

"That is usually how it works."

"I bet he'd like a redhead."

"Ebony, what are you trying to say?" Kiara snorted, as she was the only chestnut mare on the island now. "Me and Demyx tried love, and it didn't work. We're both too arrogant."

Ebony saw the truth and belief in Kiaras own words. But as Ebony watched a once broken, arrogant, rude, cruel, wild and selfish stallion comfort a mares broken heart she saw none of these things.

"How long ago was that?"

"A few years maybe."

"You should try again..."

"Ebony, why won't you listen, we would never work."

"I dunno, I can only see one arrogant horse here." Ebony, despite her tiny physique and sweet face, stared down the strong mare before her. A horse who intimidated you just by her perfection. Kiara flinched, slightly taken away.

"You're not helping." The redhead turned away. "I'm in love with Cross, not Demyx."

"...Are you?" Ebony asked simply and followed her, walking down to the pastures to rejoin the herd.

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<sub>Well well, this is all very complex! This took me awhile because there are a lot of complex emotions. Helpless grief, comforting support, curious confusion.... X.x Hopefully I pulled them off.

If you're confused, that ok, I think I want you to be Get inside Kiara's head!!

Also, like the background? I was a bit rusty but I'm pretty chuffed with it Haven't done a serious BG in ages. Also, this cell shading stuff is getting easier. YAY PROGRESS AND SELF PRIDE!

<3 Enjoy my darlings!

PS: New eyes, do we like?

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Demyx, Yuffie, Leon, Ebony, Kiara (c) ~Dakareegurl</sub>