Niju

Mid Summer-Months later

Niju awoke-early as usual. The birds were silent, the sun had not peeked above the rugged grassy bluffs they had called home for the winter. He stole a glance at Nava, who was still asleep unsurprisingly. The elder spent more than half of the day asleep, and had taken to ill recently, so he spent even more time in slumber these past few weeks than before. Exiting the cave, Niju's thoughts turned to food, as always. For the past month, Nava could barely summon the spiritual or physical energy to exit the cave. Niju despised how he was reduced to hunting for rabbits and the sparse Alaskan deer, but with the passing of spring into summer-everything had new energy. Added to this deer were still on much too high alert now that it was the time of raising newborn fawns.

Winter was the true time of the wolves, with all their prey being worn down by it, it was their time to take advantage, cruel as it was, but they were only helping the inevitable. Winters in Alaska were harsh, the promise of winter held the fact that not every creature would make it through to feel the warmth of spring, and that was that. Now that spring- almost summer was upon them, creatures renewed by the earth's resources once more, eluded the wolves in endless chases and tricks. Thus the cycle went on, but now Niju was at a disadvantage. Being a solitary hunter when a pack was needed most wasn't easy, and it was even harder seeing as he wasn't the only mouth he needed to feed.

Catching the scent of a male snowshoe hare, he lazily stalked after the thing. Damn hares were about all he could catch, they were at a disadvantage now in their summer coats of tawny brown instead of snow white. It was an old male who didn't put up much of a fuss when his neck was assaulted by Niju's proud jaws in an ambush.

His prey's neck making soft crushing sounds between his mighty jaws, Niju began to stroll back to the den where Nava was settled. Niju couldn't shake the feeling that he walked the world alone for the past few weeks, but that feeling was suddenly gone. Nava had indeed taught him more about his spirit than quite frankly, he ever wanted to know, but the knowledge was powerful. Something in the atmosphere in the wilds had changed, Niju didn't know what it was, but things seemed spiritually and physically restless. He saw more birds in the sky today, as he looked up with his jaws full of brown hare. But most of all his spirit and very being felt somehow rekindled in the faintest of ways. He couldn't explain was it was that had struck him today.

Niju returned to the cave and sat beside the old one, who was barely conscious. Niju wasn't surprised as he stretched out on his haunches. These days the old one seemed to be almost constantly between states of sleep. Nava was awake enough to sense Niju's presence, so Niju didn't announce himself as he began to soften the hare for the old one between his mighty jaws. As soon as he'd done a number on the poor hare's carcess, he roughly passed the thing to Nava. The old one merely looked up at him, taking no interest in the kill.

"N-Niju my brother…" His voice was weakened and his breath raspy.

NIju drew as close to enable him to hear Nava's voice clearly. Nava seemed determined, in a sort of way that didn't mean he was on his deathbed, but meant he was very weak. "Yes. It is I, old one."

"It…It is time…The light, it is upon us!" Nava murmured intensely to Niju. Niju's expression remained unchanged. Nava grew more urgent. "Niju, you must go search it out! It seeks…It seeks what it cannot find alone."

Niju frowned; Nava was really making no sense now. Niju wasn't too surprised, but he had to admit that Nava suddenly sounded more delirious than normal- maybe it was the heat from the summer. Even the cave was beginning to feel a bit warm. "Oh, come now Nava…You're not still on about that are you?" Niju attempted a joking tone to try and reassure himself, and his sanity. "Enough of these visions, you must eat, Old one." Niju pushed the hare carcass under Nava's nose in an attempt to gain his interest.

Nava merely turned away and faced Niju. "Go, my brother, be strong and go!" Niju was bewilded at his former alpha's behavior. "But-…Nava-" he sputtered in his befuddlement. Nava seemed to grow almost angry- "You must GO!" Nava barked as Niju backed away from the old one. Unsure of where to turn, he floundered for a second before scrambling to the cave door, he was about to curse Nava for his madness before he heard the old one speak again. "Your strength, my brother, use it wisely." Nava words sounded almost remorseful and kind once more, but they were laced with wisdom and impending advice.

Niju turned back from the door to find Nava once again slumped on his side, still breathing but weak as usual. Niju thought he understood the old one's plight. He was probably trying to send Niju away for his death, and sought to distract him from the cave. Nava was a proud yet humble creature; Niju was only beginning to understand what that was like. Nava probably wanted to die alone, Niju thought as he padded down the grass and boulder covered hills to the river that lay below them. He absentmindedly followed the river to the seashore, heavy in his steps. It was a custom in the old clan to bury to dead with a shell containing a bit of sand from these shores. Niju sighed heavily as his choice from the night many months ago haunted his mind. He didn't know when he'd ever be free from the guild that gnawed at his very soul.

He then saw it. A little tawny furred body not too far from the incoming tide, in fact dangerously close. He temporarily forgot the seashell, and padded closer still to this strange little find. His eyes grew wide in shock, it wasn't just the fact that the creature was caught in yet another upcoming tide much like the first day they met, which jogged his memory. It was the fact that even if he walked this earth alone for 500 years, or became the alpha of the greatest pack ever formed, or became one with the great Aniu…He would never, never forget that face. Sure her body had matured a bit through the months, and she seemed less of a juvenile and more of a lady…No…he would never forget that face. The face of loathing that burned in his memory, the face of his demise. He would never forget. The face of none other than… Aleu.

He forgot all of his dealing with Nava in the moment of her arousal to weak consciousness. She sputtered up seaweed and water for a few moments before cracking open her azure tinted eyes. It had been months since Niju had last viewed the cerulean pupils she possessed at the center of the azure irises. They glinted beautifully in the midday sun as the wolfdog panted and gasped for life-giving breath. After what seemed like an eternity, and the image of him pinning her- about to finish her burning in his head all the while, Niju finally took a step forward. Suddenly Aleu seemed to become more aware of her surroundings as her eyes locked on his form. The azure beauties narrowed with recognition, as Niju's navy blues did the same. A menacing and notably more adult growl rumbled form her throat as Niju's smirk became evident.

"You."