Battle Scars
So it's me again. I've finally decided to update this thing, and I've got the writing itch. Tsume started gnawing at me, so I thought I'd finally give him the spotlight. I hope I manage to keep him somewhat IC. This is also a response to a writing challenge on LiveJournal. The theme was "depth."
It's strange, how Fate has brought us all together, uniting us all in one common goal. To find Paradise. Our Paradise.
A Paradise where we all wouldn't have to hide who we really were. Where we could all be free. A place where we wolves wouldn't have to live in fear, and to not have to listen for the cocking of a rifle. A place where there would be no sickness, and no death. A place where we would never grow old or weak. Where cubs wouldn't be robbed of their parents. A place where none of us would go hungry ever again, and where it is always summer, and there are no winters to endure.
And flowers. I can imagine Lunar Flowers as far as the eye can see, their scent thick and heavy in the eternal summer air.
This is what I imagine Paradise to be like.
That is, assuming it exists.
It certainly sounds far better than the frozen hell I came from. I spent two years in Freeze City, scrounging around in the trash, trying to get by, barely surviving, stealing from the Nobles. When I came to the city, weak, starving, and near death, I swallowed my wolf's pride and assumed a human guise to become the leader of a street gang. I tried to tell myself that such a lifestyle suited me just fine, but I knew, deep down, that it was no way for a wolf to live. A wolf is meant to be out in the wilds hunting and running with its pack, not picking through the garbage to find something that you hoped was still edible. However, survival took precedence over pride. I'm covered in scars from run ins with humans, nobles, and fights with strays over the most meager scraps of food.
Since I was cast out from my pack, I no longer had a family to call my own. I no longer belonged. My father slashed my chest open and banished me permanently, as punishment for the deaths of our pack members.
Deaths that were my fault. Even now, that day haunts my nightmares as I hear their dying cries. In human form, I run my fingers absently over my X-shaped scar. It's just one more reminder of the shame I carry.
When we reach Paradise, will I see my old pack again? Will I see my fallen friends? My parents? Will I see my father again? Will he forgive me for my betrayal?
So many questions. I suppose they'll be answered when we get there.
At first, I was skeptical at the idea of Paradise. I thought Kiba was just some crazy loner who believed in Paradise, when most of us thought it was nothing more than a fairytale to tell to cubs. But Kiba...he believes in it with an almost religious fervor. Perhaps he's mad. Perhaps we're all mad for following him. Maybe at the end of this road, we'll find Paradise. Or maybe we'll find nothing at all. I'm not sure if I believe that Paradise is real, but there's a part of me that wants to believe, that wants it to be true.
Regardless, I'll walk this path with Kiba, the pup and Porky-my new pack brothers, and I'll see it through to the bitter end.
Even if it does end up leading to hell.
A/N: Meh, not my best, but this has been sitting in my harddrive for months. I thought I'd finish it. Anyways, reviews are appreciated. Next up: Blue!