Stray Wolf
By: Chelsea Scull/AKA- Rune the Stray
Chapter one- Lost in a city of Howls-
The moon shone brightly in the darkened city. The winds whined softly and all around were the sounds of night. The city was still except for one creature, a very large wolf that walked with a limp. Her large emerald eyes glowed almost as bright as the moon that hung heavy overhead. She was very large, even for an alpha, and she was lanky. Her fur was thick, ebony, and shaggy looking. Her structure showed strength even though she was thin with starvation and thirst. Yet she did not stop at the fountain to drink or pick out of the garbage. She seemed to be waiting for death to take her……
The next morning, the sun grinned down upon Freeze City. Birds chirped happily, and squirrels chased each other. Hige walked his normal pace to the sausage stand, only to find his nose was attracted by another smell, a new smell. Could it be that there are others like him in this empty city? So, being the curious person that he is simply followed his nose.
He soon came to a clearing in debris that clumped around the old fountain, where the smell seemed to be coming from. A young girl, probably around 16 to 18 years old, layed in a pile of old newspapers. She was thin and lanky, her body filthy with mud. Her black hair was pulled back in a crude ponytail. Her scent was of a wolf, her fur ebony black. He could never leave a man behind or in this case girl behind. Gently, he slid his hand behind her head and around her waist, and lifted her thin frame into his arms.
A black ocean cloaked her mind. Her eyes felt like a thousand pounds apiece. When she finally got them partially open, her vision was blurred, and she could make out a dark outline of someone standing or sitting, she couldn't tell which over her. Her first reaction was panic. Oh, crap, the humans have gotten a hold of me again. Struggling, she lifted her left hand to her throat and to her surprise there was no leather collar or restraint. Maybe these humans don't see me in my true form, she thought to herself.
"Hey, Sleeping Beauty." A male's voice said. She turned her head towards the sound, trying to see the speaker. A few moments later, her vision cleared some and she saw a large in size and weight tan wolf. The first thing she said before thinking was "Where am I?" Her quiet voice was raspy and hoarse.
He was answered in a quiet, sympathetic voice. "Someplace safe." Her face screwed up in confusion. How can any place in this cursed city be safe? "That still didn't answer my question. Where am I?" Her eyes searched his for an answer. "No one can find this place without looking thoroughly. I'm the only one." She looked away for a moment. "Are we the only wolves in this city?" Her voice quavered. He thought hard for a minute then said, "I would like to think not." Again she turned away and then attempted to get up. Gently, yet firmly, he pushed her back to the ground and said quietly, "Don't get up, save your strength." He glanced at her thin body. "Are you hungry?"
She looked at him in surprise. "Um…" She hesitated. "No." He stood. "Well I am. I'll be back soon." He started to walk away. Looking back, he said sarcastically. "Don't die on me ok." He stopped. "By the way, my name's Hige." She smiled. "My name's Rune." He walked away smoothly.
Twilight had fallen when Rune awoke next. Hige had fallen asleep not 5 feet from her. She rolled onto her back and stared up into the moon's happy face. A thin breeze floated over her, making her shiver. She rolled back over and quickly fell back asleep.
Over the next few days, Hige showed Rune around the city. The sausage stand, the market, the alleys and the Lab. When they reached the Lab, Rune's ears perked up and her eyes blazed with a new fire. "Lunar Flowers! And the Scent is strong!!!!!!!" She turned to him. "Wanna check it out?" He asked nonchalantly. She nodded her reply.
Rune and Hige wound their way down narrow corridors and hallways stopping every-so-often to sniff the air for the scent of the soldiers that roamed the halls during their shifts. Rune pulled herself closer to Hige. This place gave her the creeps. Suddenly, a voice rang out from the hall behind them "Hey, what are you two doing sneaking around?" Hige whirled around and saw one of the staff members standing in the doorway. "You know what, that's a good question." Then he turned to Rune and yelled, "Run for it!" The soldier lunged forward to grab Rune and Hige stepped in his way in wolf form now smirking at him. Rune sprinted down the hall, back the way she had come.
Kiba was in pain. He felt numb at first but then the agony seeped in on his exhausted mind. His senses were so clogged and fuzzy he didn't even notice the tan wolf walk in.
Staring down at the white wolf, he studied him carefully. He smelled of gunpowder and he looked about half dead. Hige could tell he definitely had an interesting story behind him.
"Something like this I thought might be under your jurisdiction." Hubb said. Cher looked at him and replied "Humans aren't really my specialty." They crossed an open doorway and just then Hubb glanced over and saw a young man, probably 16 to 18 with messy orange hair, staring down at the white dog. "Hey, what are you doing here and what department are you with?" Hubb said defensively. Hige laughed halfheartedly. "Oh I'm sorry, I was looking for cleaning supplies and I guess I got a little lost." Hubb scratched his chin. "Cleaning crew huh, Supplies are down that hall and to your right." He said pointing. "Thanks." Hige trotted down the hallway. After the coast was clear, Hige stepped out of the hall and back into the room. He crouched before the white wolf.
"Man, you really screwed up." No movement. "I mean I've seen one of us caught before, but never this badly. Kiba opened one eye. "I can get out of here whenever I feel like it." "So then, why are you in there?" "I just… needed a place to rest for a while." Pause. "That's not your true form, why do you hide yourself?" Kiba asked. "So I don't end up where you are." Kiba snarls. "Living a lie, only to die a miserable death in this city!" "Gotta do what you can to survive." Hige replied calmly. Kiba stands. "Have you given up your pride as a wolf!!" Hige was slightly startled. "Huh, you're a strange one, but having pride doesn't count for much if your dead, ya know." Kiba realized that he was right. Baring his dagger-like fangs, he lunged down and bit down on the cage bars, bending them every-which-way. Hige only stares blankly. When he had bent them enough he slipped through and his human form emerged.
At full height, he stood about 5'8"; shaggy dark hair fell into a softly drawn, sensitive face. Hardly 18, he looked way beyond his years. One at a glance would never believe that this handsome boy was the guise to a fearsome predator- the white wolf.
Limping, Kiba made his way to the door. "Now don't make yourself look suspicious, don't draw attention to yourself and stay in the guise." Hige turned away and began walking down the hall outside of the room.
Rune ran. She raced. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her feet seemed to want to fall off her body. Yet she did not stop to rest. She couldn't. Her legs just wouldn't allow her feet to stop running. Once or twice on a sharp turn she stumbled but then her feet got their balance and she was off again. Her chest started to ache.
Tsume looked down at the filthy street. Thinking was one of his normal pastimes and right now there were many things to think about. Their next raid, possibly, no. Then the memories flashed in his mind and he realized he didn't have enough men to risk another raid. Not since this morning. The wolf had killed them, he knew, and he hated him for it. Not that he cared about them or anything; he just needed them to help in his raids. Humans are blind and stupid creatures. How they made it in the world he would never know. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a black flash pass by the alleyway where he was standing. A dog, he thought and then caught the scent. No, it was a wolf!!! The sight and scent of another wolf stirred his mind in wonder. Where the hell were all these strays coming from? He didn't know and nor did it bother him not knowing.
----------------
Rune's nose caught a scent she had never experienced before. Wolf, but human at the same time. Could it be a hybrid? Finally she stopped running. Her heart was still pounding and her breathing ragged. In the distance she could hear a dog barking. She glanced around. Where was she? She had never been to this part of town before. Hige had only showed her around the most important parts well important to him anyway of the town around the hideout. Then she remembered the scent and sniffed the air. There it was!! This time she didn't hesitate. Lurching forward in a steady run, her feet pounded the ground so hard she looked like she was flying. Left, right, twist, turn, her nose knew where to go. When the scent grew stronger she slowed to a steady lope and let her instinct guide her.
The wind blew softly, swirling the leaves of the old oak. Tsume sat at its base and stared into nothingness. What was left for him in this cursed city? Nothing, he knew that much. Then out of nowhere he could hear the pounding of feet on the cement. He turned his head towards the sound, just then to see a large black wolf staring right at him. He scowled. What was she doing here? Then he asked her just that. "Following my nose." She replied. Her voice. It seemed so familiar, but from where was it familiar? He didn't know. She pressed on. "You are a wolf, are you not?" "Yes, why?" He leaned his head back on the tree. "You smell with the stench of a human that's all." Tsume's eyes snapped open. "I'm no human. I only use them." He snarled. She smiled. "Like a pet." Her eyes flashed. She was egging on a fight; she needed one to blow off some steam. Tsume stood. "You have an awfully big mouth for someone so insignificant." Rune growls menacingly. The two wolves lunge at each other, snapping and clawing. A young reddish brown wolf walks onto the 'battlefield' and stops the both of them.
"You can't fight her, she's a girl." He said in a matter-of-fact tone. Tsume stares him down. "Yes I can. She has a little more attitude than I can tolerate." Rune stops. "Attitude?! You ain't nothing yet! I'll show you attitude. And I'm sure mine's a whole lot bigger than yours!" Tsume looks at her. "Is that so. Well do you want to bet on that?" Rune's eyes were wild. "Bring it on." They begin fighting as wolves.
Hige led Kiba through the passageways of the lab. Kiba limped badly especially after that ashen wolf had hit it in the fight. "Where were you headed anyway?" Hige asked after a long while. "I was looking for the source of the scent of Lunar Flowers and the scent was coming from this city." "hm." Hige sighed. "What's the matter?" Kiba asked. "Nothing I was just wondering how Rune was holding up. She disappeared just before I met you." Hige answered. "What happened to her?" Kiba asked. "I was hoping she wasn't caught by one of the guards. I hoped she slipped past them." "Who is she? Your girlfriend?" Hige looked at him and smiled. "Naw, but I wouldn't mind it if she was, if you know what I mean." Kiba laughed. Man it felt good to laugh. It just felt good just to have something to laugh about.
Quent left the bar after purchasing some of his booze and sat down outside some store and had a few hits before talking to Blue. "Wolves are evil, Blue. I don't know how but I know you can understand me. We have to destroy every single one." Blue just stared at him. "Come on Blue, let's go." He stood, partially drunk. They walk down another alley and onto the deserted street.
Rune's eyes were glittering as she and Tsume fought. What they were fighting about she didn't know nor care. She needed to fight, to get back into shape. Suddenly she heard a snarl. She whirled around and saw a large black dog growling and snarling at the cross street. A man appeared behind her apparently drunk. "What is it Blue." She heard him mumble. Suddenly he looked up at her. She had forgotten the disguise herself, but now it was too late. He cocked the rifle. Tsume saw it as an opportunity to hit her. Out of nowhere a fist con into contact with the side of her head, knocking her to the side, just as the man fired the gun. The shot rang out and bounced off the buildings around the area.
Hige turned his head towards the sound of the gunshot. God, he hoped Rune was all right.
Rune, startled, moved back from both men. "I have a score the settle with you." She said, pointing to Tsume before dashing off. Then Tsume already in human form just turned and walked away.
Rune kept running, never stopping until she reached the hiding place. Hige wasn't here. "I wonder why." She thought. Well maybe its time to move on; get out of this stinking town. See what was on the horizon. She scribbled a note into the dust, hoping that the wind wouldn't blow it away. 'Hige, thank you for all your help in the past few days. I'm leaving town. There is nothing here for me. If its meant to be I hope we'll meet again. Always, Rune.'
Not moments after Rune had left the area, Hige and Kiba showed up. "She's not here." Hige said, worry in his voice. "She was here." Kiba replied. "How do you know?" Hige asked. "She left a note. Look." Kiba replied pointing. Hige bent down to the dust and read: Hige, thank you for all your help in the past few days. I'm leaving town. There is nothing here for me. If its meant to be I hope we'll meet again. Always, Rune. Hige felt his body shake against the emotions that surrounded him. How could she just leave? Where would she go? Hige suddenly felt angry that he had abandoned her and went to take a look at Kiba. " So where you headed?" Hige asked Kiba. "Paradise." He replied. "Paradise huh? That sounds like fun." A smile flickered on Hige's face. "My name is… Kiba."