Crossfire

DespairXPrecious AU

Author's note: I may or may not make this out on WolfQuest, but I just really, really wanted to write this. In fact, almost 30 minutes after I posted the MAP part of "I'm a mess", I wanted to write out a full short story on it.

If you've come here from the trailer, enjoy. If you have come across this story randomly, welcome, enjoy the story. If any confusion, revert to the trailer on my channel.

Now, before we begin. WARNING: There is violence, slight blood gore, and some swearing(I'm sorry XD).

Chapter 1:

Despair's POV

I walked through the desert sands of Amethyst Mountains. My paws slightly scorched from the heated sand, my fur ragged from sleep, heat, and encounters with other wolves.

I wouldn't consider myself a lone wolf, just... A wanderer.

I kept to myself, knowing that I didn't need anyone else, they'd only slow me down.

Finally, I managed to find a small pond within the never-ending sandy trails, and nearly collapsed into the water when I reached it.

I lapped up the water until I felt refreshed, then I walked further in and practically rolled over into the water, my snout barely reaching the surface.

I stood back up almost as quickly as I had gone under, stepping out of the water and shaking my fur.

It felt nice. I sure wasn't going to be able to get another one of these for a while.

The bushes rustled behind me and my ears shot straight up.

My senses could immediately tell what was there before I even had to look.

"Well. Don't you look... Stunning." A male wolf sounded behind me.

"Hm." I smiled inwardly, "You're going to have to try much better than that if you're going to flirt with someone."

"Delicate. Exotic. Se-"

The male wolf yelped as my paw swiped the side of his face, claws breaking the skin.

"You little-"

I was quicker, lunging at the other wolf, bringing him to the ground. I stood over him, teeth bared, our noses barely touching.

The wolf immediately quivered, whining like a little puppy.

I smirked, "Well would you look at that. All tough and proud, but when things don't go your way, you're nothing but a scared little puppy."

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"To what? What exactly are you trying to apologize for? Nothing. Now get out of here." I let him up, which he immediately stood, running off with his tail between his legs.

I sighed, leaving the site, carrying on until I found shelter within the trees.

Trees were rare, but a blessing.

As I laid under the shade of a tree for an afternoon nap, I was, once again, interrupted by a snap of a twig nearby.

I opened my eyes to scan the area, thinking it was just a coyote or elk.

Then, the scent of more wolves filled my nose.

Wolves. More than one.

I stood in a defensive position, giving a low warning growl to whoever was out there.

A low chuckle was my reply, golden eyes appearing from the depths of the trees, before a large black wolf emerged from it.

Another snicker sounded to my right, another approach to my left, a couple more next to the black wolf, and finally, one behind me.

I remained still, not showing any fear, despite their numbers.

Numbers never scared me. I've dealt with worse.

"Well, well. What have we here? A lone wolf, in our territory?" The black wolf spoke up.

I wanted to reply with a smart comeback, but the wolf behind me tried to take me by surprise.

I jumped aside, watching as the attacker landed where I once stood.

Another wolf to my left tried to attack next, and I quickly turned, sinking my teeth into his throat, only to toss him away from her.

"Is that all you got?" I panted, the wolf I had attacked was quite heavy for her to move.

The black wolf chuckled before growling, "You should have run when you had the chance. Now you've just signed your death wish."

He lunged first, taking me down to the ground, the other wolves fast on his tail.

I used my hind legs to kick him off of me, but it didn't give me much leverage.

A grey wolf bit into one of my legs, making me yelp out loud, but I kicked back, managing to get him in the eye, making him whimper and back off.

I managed to stand, but one wolf went for my throat, and another for my scruff, forcing me back down.

They were too much, and I felt my strength and adrenaline failing me.

The pain overcame me and darkness took over.

When I was conscious enough to hear my surroundings, I could hear the sound of paws walking around somewhere around me.

Then, I felt a nose press against my scruff, sniffing it carefully.

I let out a whine of pain, before covering it with a snarl, managing to raise my head at the intruder.

The wolf backed away cautiously, but didn't run.

"I-It's ok... I'm here to help." The wolf said.

She was... Beautiful. White fur, with light brown fur coating her face.

I shook the thoughts from my head, my features hardening again, "I don't... need any... Help."

I tried to prove my point by standing, but it didn't work.

Dizziness overcame me, and I collapsed, falling into unconsciousness... Again.

When I awoke again, the air felt... Cooler, and cool grass tickled my nose.

"W-what?" I was confused, managing to lift my head.

"Well. Look who's finally awake." A familiar female voice sounded.

I turned my head to the voice, a low growl coming out.

"Where am I?" I demanded.

"The beautiful landscapes of Slough Creek." She answered.

She slowly approached me, something in her mouth.

I growled lowly at her.

Pretty or not, there's no way I'm trusting this wolf.

She paused a couple inches from me, before laying down the dead rabbit she had in her mouth, before backing away.

"You've had a tough time, huh?" She said, sitting down calmly before her, tail calmly wrapping around herself.

I glared up at her, before taking the rabbit, eating it in two bites.

The wolf stared at me, shock on her face, before covering it, "Well... You must be hungry. Want me to catch another?" She wagged her tail happily.

"No." I snapped, her over-excited dimeanor getting on my nerves, "I didn't ask for your help."

She stared at me, almost hurt by the words, before smiling, "You didn't have to."

"Ugh. Don't you get it. I. Don't. Need. Your. Help. I don't need you, or anyone else. Now get lost." I said, managing to stand, my fur bristling slightly.

The wolf's ears lowered, the hurt in her eyes so evident I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

Then, with a blink, her eyes hardened in hurt anger, "Fine. Excuse me for helping!"

With that, she took off running into the fields.

I stayed tense, in my position for a few more minutes after she was out of sight, before letting out an exhausted sigh, sitting down, my aching limbs catching up to me.

My stomach growled soon after, telling me I shouldn't have passed up the offered food.

I was broken from my thoughts when a couple drops of rain hit my fur, before rain poured down.

"Oh COME ON!" I growled in irritation that even nature was against me.

Then again, the rain did feel nice against my closed wounds, probably cleaning out whatever dirt could be on it.

It didn't last, however.

I shook my fur, before standing, taking my first step.

It was painful, and my hind leg was badly scarred from the wolf's bite.

I managed to wander a mile, before shelter revealed itself.

A fallen tree, caught by some rocks, leaving a small sheltering hole.

I managed to fit inside, and my muscles ached as I laid down.

I had to curl up tightly in order to fit, which didn't sit well with my wounds.

I reached over to lick one of the cuts, as if to relieve the pain.

As my fur began to dry, drowsiness came in again.

I rested my head on the fur on the tip of my tail, before finding sleep again.