Do Not Say Farewell
Chapter 2: Blood Raven
I don't own Clamp's characters. Only Aika, Tosca, and Tye.
Tosca couldn't help wagging her tail at the sight of four other pack members, including Tye, who she kept in the back of her mind the entire time. She made sure to greet each of them.
Her eyes turned to Yuui, who seemed to take all of Fai's attention. He poked, licked and lightly pawed his wounds, whining in worry and soon Yuui just snapped at him, having enough.
Tosca yipped, knowing they needed to move. Yuui met her gaze. 'Get up, Yuui. We're leaving.' She then threw her muzzle skyward and gave a short howl. One that meant they were leaving and weren't returning. Tosca turned and started west, away from the humans and the burning trees. Sakura and Syaoran followed close behind. Aika took hold of Tye and followed behind the younger pups. Fai stayed beside his limping brother. Kurogane made sure to stay in the back and keep watch for anything.
The sun shone directly above them. Telling all wolves that it was midday.
'Should we rest?' Fai's blue eyes met identical blue and he gave a small whine of concern. He could tell Yuui was exhausted. His head was low, his steps slower, his pants ragged.
'I'm fine.' Yuui's tail gave a brief wag, yet Fai wasn't convinced. An idea appeared in his head and he buried his nose under Yuui's shoulder. Yuui felt himself slid over Fai's head and half onto his back. Both stumbled slightly and Yuui struggled on his back legs.
Yuui nipped at Fai's ear. 'You're making it worse.' He fell off.
'What are you doing?' Came Kurogane's sharp barks.
Fai turned his head and gave a wide grin. 'Nothing, don't worry.'
Kurogane bared his teeth.
Aika grew tired of tasting Tye's fur on her tongue and set her down to walk beside her. 'Where are you planning to take us?' She yipped to Tosca.
'Somewhere safe enough for Yuui to heal.' Tosca's eyes glanced back at the red/brown wolf. Aika, in turn, glance behind to see how Yuui was doing and he didn't seem well. Especially since his eyes watched the ground. The dark red patches of blood on his white fur was now black or brown patches of dried or infected blood. His wounds needed a good cleaning now.
'We should rest now.' Aika yipped.
'A clearing opens up just a little further. Then we'll be free of the trees.'
Aika turned again. 'Just a little further.'
Yuui's gaze moved up to meet hers for a second. 'Alright.'
Kurogane watched his surrounding more than before. It was only a few miles back when he smelled the stench. And he knew the others smelled it too. Humans and wolves. A scent he'd just escaped. Kurogane smelled it stronger now and trotted ahead to step in line with her pack leader just as they cleared the trees. Kurogane felt a low growl rumble through his chest as they approached the grim sight.
'I know what you're thinking, jerk! I know you blaming me for this! Well, all I have to say is, that you should have just convinced me to hold it.' As he ran the black and white wolf barked and growled to his gray companion, who ran silently beside him. Doumeki flattened his ears in an attempt to block out his friend's rants. Another roar shook the trees along with his insides. Another tree flew past their heads before crashing in the distance. Doumeki risked a glance behind and truly saw the demon's true size. Whale-sized was the only thoughts through his head as the lizard demon toppled trees.
'Watanuki, run faster.' Doumeki's gaze told him and Watanuki stopped mid-rant to blink at him. 'There's a village just beyond there.' He began to recognize the land a little more.
'And you actually want to run through it?' Came Watanuki's yelp.
Doumeki didn't respond and quickened his pace instead. Watanuki subconsciously ducked as another tree sailed past his head before running after Doumeki.
The village was small and only consisted of stone huts. But luckily it was just beg enough to distract the demon's attention from them. Only few people truly noticed when the two sped through their homes but most of their attention was kept to the monster. Watanuki and Doumeki slowed to a stop at a grassy field covered in stones. Both panted hard as they watched the humans feebly try to fight off the demon.
'No wonder they see us as misfortunate demons.' A soft growl rumbled through Watanuki's chest as many huts and people were swatted away. He turned away from the village and yelped in surprise, ears flattening.
'You're too late. They're dead.' The hawk-like creature cawed, red-tipped wings ruffling.
'Did you kill these wolves?' Tosca's muzzle wrinkled a little as she eyed the bloody pile of darkened humans and wolves.
The bird seemed to laugh, cocking his head to one side. 'It wasn't me, though it was a sight to see.'
'They look...' Fai whimpered. 'Burned almost.' Then a loud growl came from Kurogane and everyone tensed.
Golden eyes seemed to glow as another wolf stepped from the shadows. Red and orange fur imitated flames as he confidently approached the group.
Tosca tilted her head, relaxing slightly. 'You're both Elementals.' She noted in their unnatural fur and feather colors. The three youngest stared wide-eyed in awe at the legendary creature. Fai's tail swished excitedly. He could lead them to safety for Yuui. He could even protect them for a while.
'Do you know who took their lives?' Tosca panted, already relaxing in the presence of him.
'Yes.' The wolves eyes glinted and he bared his fangs. 'I did.'
All ears stood straight and everyone tensed again. Fai's tail stilled and lowered in disappointment.
'Corrupt Elemental?' Syaoran whimpered and Tosca pulled him behind her protectively.
The Elemental lowered himself to a casual laying position. 'Not corrupt. Just sick of humans and wolves. Their feuding. Their conspiracies. Humans' laziness and high expectations. It all needs to end.'
'The humans started it.' Aika barked, not knowing of her rudeness.
'Doesn't matter!' As the wolf snarled the air around them grew hotter. 'I'm ending it.'
Tosca ripped her gaze away from the wolf. She saw his point, saw his reason in it all. But she didn't relate at all. She truly wanted to rip his throat out. She didn't move and made sure he didn't see her dark thoughts in her eyes.
Suddenly, Yuui collapsed into a puddle of fur as exhaustion finally took him. Fai's heart leapt and he lightly nosed his unconscious brother.
'Pity.'
Tosca tilted her head at the Elemental.
'I pity you. So don't expect me to be as giving next time.' The Elemental got to his feet and padded towards the twins.
'Blood Raven's in a good mood today~" The hawk sang.
Both Tosca and Aika stood tensed as ever as the wolf stepped past them. Fai's ears lowered as Blood Raven approached and he made sure to keep a paw over him. In seconds Kurogane was between him and the Elemental, almost glaring.
'Step out of the way.' Tosca growl was low but sharp and both got her message. Reluctantly, Kurogane turned and nudged Fai away from his brother.
Blood Raven lowered his muzzle towards Fai's exposed twin, sniffing. 'I'm tempted to change my mind. You've all been fighting humans.' His side glance told his thoughts.
'The humans started-!' Tosca snapped at Aika's snout, keeping her quiet.
Blood raven kept quiet and blew a bright green fire over the white wolf, engulfing him completely.
Fai lunged, only seeing Yuui's burning body and hearing the flames crackle. Kurogane made sure to keep him back. Fai's whimpers echoed in his ears. As much as he hated that hurt look in his eyes, Kurogane didn't want Fai anywhere near the "sick" Elemental. The fire quickly died down, leaving Yuui's body behind, healed. Dark blood no longer stained his white fur. Wounds were no longer open or bleeding. He no longer panted for breath.
'You're very lucky.' Blood raven's fangs glinted. 'Another night and you'd be dead.' The Elemental stayed silent as he stepped away and faded into the shadows, his hawk companion flapping after him.
Watanuki felt his own tail press against his stomach, his breath hardly coming, as he stared at the figure. Doumeki, seeing his friend's distress, whirled around to face the threat, only to face open air. Doumeki blinked then tilted his head. He turned to Watanuki again, then back to open air. Doumeki padded towards Watanuki and bit his flattened ear. It only caused him to break into a fast run through the "open air" and away from him. Doumeki rolled his eyes but made sure to follow.
'I just don't see anything.' Doumeki barked as Watanuki went on another one of his spazz attacks. He found himself used to it and just waited for him to calm down.
'What do you mean!' Watanuki half barked half snarled towards him. 'The humans are everywhere!'
Doumeki looked around, searching. His eyes only saw rocks.
Tombs.
'We're in one of those places.' Doumeki barked. 'Where humans bury their dead.' He began walking away. 'You're only seeing ghosts.'
'That's ridiculous! There's no such thing as agh!' Doumeki ignored another one of Watanuki's strange sound and watched him sprint past him into open grass.
I couldn't find a fitting song this time...*shrugs* Yup...
I'm gonna try to make sure I don't go more than a week without updating so...look for me~ But I gots this one out so...R&R! X3
