Title: Versus

Prompt: Written for a 100 Themes Challenge: "62. Versus."

Summary: "Toboe has a beautiful heart, and Hige rewards him by punching him in the face." I thought it summed up this scene rather nicely, no?

Music: The Change—Evanescence

Disclaimer: Don't own anything!

A/N: Set during episode 19, "A Dream of an Oasis." Just when I think I can't possibly love Toboe any more, there's a scene like this.


Versus

Toboe leans forward and sniffs the air, trying to place the scent that stands out, warmth in the snowy landscape. It's a human, and while he doesn't know which human, exactly, he knows that he's met this one before.

"What is it?" Tsume asks him.

"I'm not sure," Toboe answers thoughtfully, "but it's a familiar scent."

"A scent?" Tsume asks, but Toboe's already taken off in the direction he thinks the human will be in. He doesn't have to go very far before he finds the old man lying in the snow, wrapped in his filthy brown coat.

"It's him again," Tsume says coldly as Toboe crouches down to examine the man. Judging by the snow that has gathered on him, he's been here for a while. His skin is slowly becoming as white as the snowflakes and almost as cold.

"His body's almost frozen," Toboe says, concerned. We can't just leave him here to—

"Just leave him," Hige says. "It's what he deserves."

Hige's irritation is evident in his voice; obviously he doesn't care about much of anything anymore. But Toboe doesn't understand it. How can Hige decide to just sit by and watch someone freeze to death—and not just anyone, but the man who took care of Blue, the owner she had been faithful to for years and years? How can Hige claim to care about Blue when he's willing to let someone she loves die?

Toboe turns to face Hige. "How can you say that knowing how important he is to Blue?" he asks, unable to keep his disbelief out of his voice. "If we don't do something he's gonna die."

He looks down again, remembering something that had happened at Darcia's keep.

"We couldn't do anything to save Blue either, remember?"

He hadn't really meant to say it out loud, and he regrets it instantly when he hears Hige exhale sharply through clenched teeth. But before he can apologize, Toboe feels Hige's hand roughly grasping the collar of his jacket, dragging him to his feet, and he barely has time to yelp before Hige's fist connects with his cheek. The strength of the bigger wolf's punch sends Toboe sprawling to the snow, and out of the corner of his eye he can see Hige, red-faced with fury, start forward before Tsume's hand closes around his collar and roughly drags him back.

"Would you stop it?" the gray wolf growls, sounding exasperated. "Don't take it out on him."

Thank you, Tsume.

Toboe slowly pushes himself to one knee and puts a hand to his throbbing cheek. It really hurts, but he's not angry at Hige. This isn't normal for him; Toboe's sure he'll be back to his old self once he calms down.

"We're looking for Kiba, right?" Hige snarls. "Then let's go."

He stalks off, but Tsume stays put.

"Toboe?" he asks, training his piercing golden eyes on the pup, and Toboe immediately gets to his feet, not wanting to show any weakness.

"Why don't you go on ahead?" he suggests. "I'll catch up, okay?"

"Don't come crying to me when he wakes up and shoots you," Hige snarls over his shoulder.

"Hey," Tsume says, and Toboe interrupts him: "Just go on!"

"Don't get too involved," Tsume warns. "He's a human, after all."

The older wolf turns and walks calmly after Hige, and Toboe watches them go, his battered cheek throbbing in time with his heart.

Why did wanting to do what I think is the right thing go so wrong?