Chapter 10

Everything was quiet as Jade and Sunny stood in front of a nearly collapsed house. Some parts of it were charred by fire while others were destroyed and broken. When they arrived at the place they caught a few thieves targeting the house. Angered by this, Jade took them out without a second thought. After that no one else came by, leaving her alone as Sunny circled around her whining to go inside. After a long time of just staring at the house, Jade eventually took one step forward and then another until she was finally in the doorway.

What she saw was a place that was familiar yet different at the same time. The inside of the house was decorated with many of the same paintings and art stuff that her mother always did. Putting up old and new artwork of the things that she sees and the people that she meets. But most of all, she can see many paintings that would be her or symbolize her. Her mother did always dote on her a little too much. Paintings with memorized close ups of her green eyes or wisps of her dark blue hair, a few that depicted here as a Laguz if she was one, her father teaching her how to fight, several with her and Nightmare. All of them, however, were covered in layers of debris or even broken.

Tearing her eyes away from the pictures that were beginning to hurt her chest, Jade walked into the house. The thing that was different about this house was only that it had a different layout than her old home and that it was completely ruined. From a cheery and lively home to another wrecked building of war. As Jade walked further in, she eventually saw a large pile of stacked up wood and brick that came down when part of the house collapsed. At the base of it a bit of blood could be seen seeping out, along with a few peeks of something colorful. Without thinking Jade got down and tried to remove the wooden beams and large chunks of heavy clay. Because they were too heavy to move just by herself, Jade only managed to move a few things just a little by the time she became so scratched up it hurt to continue.

"Mom. I'm so sorry." Jade said as her tears began to fall without her noticing. "I didn't know you guys were here. I would've come sooner." Never liking the feel of crying Jade hurriedly tried to wipe her tears away, but they just kept coming.

Next to her Sunny whined and licked her on the cheek in an attempt to comfort her. Absentmindedly Jade patted her with a bloody hand and then shifted her position to try to move the heavy beams again. Grabbing onto a part of the large wood, Jade was about to push when she felt a heavy hand on her shoulder. Looking up she saw Volug kneeling next to her.

"Volug." Jade said, surprised to see him but too grieved to ask why. She wiped her eyes again and looked away so that Volug couldn't see her uncontrollable tears. "Please help me. My mom..."

Without a word Volug gently pulled her up and moved her aside, frowning a little when he caught sight of her scratched up hands and arms. Shifting into a wolf he bit the wood that Jade was holding and threw it aside. A few times Jade tried to help and remove several things that she knew she could carry, but Volug would always nudge her away. Eventually everything was moved away to reveal the crumpled body of her mother.

Jade was still in so much shock that all she could do was stare at her mother, desperately trying to remember her as the woman she used to know and not the lifeless one before her. Sunny was the first one to her, whining and licking and nuzzling her to wake up. Her mother was wearing her favorite dress whenever she was painting, which was almost everyday. Jade's legs felt like lead as she walked towards her mother, Volug already shifting to his humanoid form as he stood off to the side to give her privacy. For a long time Jade sat in the middle of the wrecked house, holding her mother's head on her lap as she cried, Sunny at her side as Volug occupied himself elsewhere but still kept close by in case he was needed. Eventually Volug noticed that Jade had fallen asleep, tired from the earlier battle and the shocked from the sudden deaths of her family.

A little unsure of what to do, Volug stooped down and gently shook Jade. Are you ready to go back and join the others? Volug said once her tired green eyes were focused on him.

"I'm sorry, Volug. I don't know what you just said." Jade mumbled emptily.

Mentally kicking himself, Volug tried to think of the right words to use. "Go... camp?" Volug asked.

Somewhat understanding his meaning, Jade nodded and turned her head away to quickly wipe at her tears again. Looking down one last time at her mother, Jade reluctantly put her head down from her lap, but didn't move.

"Volug, were you able to find my brother or father?" Jade asked in the same empty voice. From the corner of her eye, Jade saw that Volug shook his head. She wasn't really expecting a good answer anyway. Knowing them, she was sure that they were fighting elsewhere and died in a place where it would be almost impossible to find them. "Can we bury her, before we leave?" Volug's answer was picking up her mother's body and then looking at her to lead the way.

The two of them walked until they were out of the city and out of sight of the camp that everyone was starting to make their way to. When Jade found a spot, Volug and Sunny dug a deep enough hole for them to put her mother in. Once again Volug waited patiently for Jade as she said her last goodbyes and promises to stay safe and to come visit someday.

After a while, Jade forced a smile on her face as she turned to Volug, trying to seem fine. "Come on, Volug. I'm ready to go now." Volug came closer, but he only stared at her. "I noticed that you spoke earlier. You know, in a way that I can understand you. I'm happy, you should try to speak more. You're always so silent and..." Jade trailed off from her sentence when she couldn't keep up with the fake smile.

Thinking it better to not talk, Jade began to walk when Volug caught her hand and wrapped his arms around her. Jade just stood there for a moment, a little surprised, and then tried to pull away only making Volug hug her tighter and put a hand on the back of her head.

"Volug, I'm fine. I just need some time alone." Jade said, resting her forehead on Volug's shoulder and huging him back. With her head tucked under his chin, Jade could feel Volug shake his head.

"Jade." At the sound of her name coming from Volug for the first time, Jade looked up at him. "Not... fine." Feeling tears beginning to stng again, Jade hid her face against his chest. She didn't like crying. Not that she thought that it was weak of her, but just that it was kind of annoying to keep wiping her eyes.

Volug let her cry and stroked her head once before lifting her up in his arms. He knew that if he tried to do it when she's in a better mood, Jade would squirm and try to get down. Seeing that the sun has nearly set, Volug turned around and started heading back to camp as Jade began to drift off into sleep, Sunny following silently behind.

When Volug reached camp he saw that everyone was at a party celebration in a large tent that had been put up for things like this. He could care very little about these kinds of gatherings, staying around only because he was accompanying his queen or relaxing with Jade, so he began to head towards the rest of the camp to a tent that Jade shares with the other girls in the Dawn Brigade.

Volug had just passed the large tent when Nailah noticed him outside. "Volug, there you are. Is Jade alright?" Nailah asked as she went over to them and laid a hand over Jade's forehead. "Take her to our tent then meet me back here." Nailah ordered and then went back in to look for Micaiah. Volug inclined his head in a bow and turned to the direction of the tents reserved for higher-ups.

In Nailah's tent one bigger section was divided off for the Wolf Queen while the other side was where Rafiel and Volug slept. As Nailah ordered, Volug brought Jade to the tent and gently set her down on his bedding. Even though Volug was provided a fur bed he never really uses it because he was always in wolf form. Making sure that she was properly covered and would be comfortable, Volug stroked her cheek and briefly placed his forehead against hers before getting up and leaving, making sure the dog stayed outside.

After finding Nailah and Rafiel outside the camp, Volug followed her to the edge of camp to where they saw Micaiah and Sothe talking with Tormod and his friends. While they talked Volug just sat off to the side, not paying much attention or listening because his mind was on something else. Every now and then he would look towards the direction of the tent. After their conversation he saw that Nailah and Rafiel seemed to be leaving with Tormod's group. He reluctantly began to follow when Nailah stopped him.

"Volug, you stay here. I want you to protect Micaiah and take care of Jade." Nailah smiled slightly when she saw Volug's ears perk a bit. "I'm sure you want to stay anyway. Come Rafiel, we shall leave." With that the Wolf Queen and the Heron Prince turned away and left with Tormod. As a loyal retainer, Volug diligently waited where he was until his queen was out of sight. After informing Micaiah that he was staying with them, much to Sothe's annoyance, Volug immediately left to return to Jade.

Back in the tent, Jade woke up with a start when she realized that she wasn't in a very familiar place. Looking around she did note that she was in a tent, much bigger than the one she shared with Laura, Ilyana, and Meg. Getting up slowly because of how sore she felt, she finally realized that she was in Nailah's tent, seeing the small scatterings of Volug's fur and Rafiel's down feathers.

"Why did Volug bring me here instead?" Jade asked outloud. She had just decided to sit back down on the fur bedding that she was sleeping on earlier when thoughts of her family came back to her. Fighting with the sudden weakness in her legs, Jade took deep breaths as she tried to think of something to distract her from these heavy feelings. Seeing that none of her stuff was with her, Jade ran out of the large tent to retrieve her sketchbook, not noticing the dog at her heels. Finding it easily in the dark, Jade mentally checked herself and headed towards the celebrations.

When Volug arrived back at the tent, he nearly felt panicked when he couldn't see Jade anywhere. Picking up her scent, he followed it back to her own tent and then found himself at the party. He couldn't really understand why she would be wandering around and celebrating when something as traumatic as death to her whole family just happened not too long ago. Having a mind to drag her back to the tent and make her rest, Volug weaved his way around the crowd. Eventually he found her sitting slightly off to the side sketching someone while a few members of the Dawn Brigade hovered around her, a little unsure of what to do as they tried to convince Jade to rest from the day. When they spotted Volug they looked a little relieved.

"Jade look, we know that you're going through a hard time right now. You don't have to be here, you should rest." Micaiah said, squatting next to Jade.

"I'm fine. I, I just don't to think about anything right now." Jade answered, then telling the person that she was sketching to stay still when they noticed that Volug was standing next to him. Micaiah sighed and looked at everyone, silently questioning what else they should do.

Volug stared at Jade for a moment, also wondering what else to do. Seeing that Jade wasn't going to move anytime soon, Volug curled around her like he always did whenever she was drawing and nudged Sunny a little jealously off to the side.

Through the celebrations Volug and Sunny stayed with Jade, even as some of the soldiers began to clean up when the party eventually came to an end. When it was just the two of them left, in the dark and empty tent, did Volug finally lift his head and looked questioningly at Jade once more.

"I'm ready to go to sleep now." Jade finally said in a tired voice. Silently, Volug slowly got up as he nudged Jade onto his back. Sensing that there was no one else outside, Volug shifted and left the tent. Outside, the camp was dimly lit with torch poles scattered throughout the place, along with a few that are held by those on guard duty. Avoiding them, Volug eventually reached the tent that he and left Jade in earlier.

Once inside Volug set Jade down gently back onto the bedding, making sure that she was comfortable. He was about to move away a bit, to shift back into a wolf, when Jade touched his arm, startling him a little. Confused as to what she wanted, Volug turned fully towards her, took her hand, and waited patiently for Jade to say something. Jade didn't say anything, but merely tugged at his hand. Understanding her gesture Volug, a bit hesitant, laid down besides Jade, who scooted closer to him. Instinctively, Volug wrapped his arms around her and tried to ignore the dog at her back.

"Sorry, this is probably a bit weird for you, but it's just for right now." Jade said as she began to drift off into sleep.

Volug watched her sleep for a while, thinking about things that he'd never thought of before until now. It wasn't quite the right timing, but he couldn't help it. Brushing away a few strands of hair from Jade's face, Volug wondered about the idea of having her as his mate.

My Mate...? Volug whispered to himself in the ancient language, playing with the thought in his head. He was a little surprised at how strongly he was feeling about this as he sighed and placed his fore head upon hers. Unfortunately for Volug, Queen Nailah already left before he finally decided to ask permission to choose a mate. Even though he was sure that Nailah would accept Jade, even she suggested her to him, he still wanted to do it by what the laws said. 'I will just have to wait until I meet with Her Majesty again.' Volug thought. 'Til then, I will stay by Jade's side and do my duty.' With that thought, Volug protectively wrapped his tail around and went to sleep as well.

The next morning, Jade woke up not knowing for a moment where she was.

Turning over, she bumped into Volug's large furry body. Sitting up to get a better look, Jade saw that Volug shifted in his sleep and was curled around her and keeping Sunny out of the circle. Smiling a little at the scene, Jade kissed Volug on his head and quietly left the tent with the golden dog by her side.

The sun was just barely shining over the treetops as Jade made her way to her former tent, passing a few people who were beginning to wake and break camp before it was time to go back down to the city. Eventually Jade met Micaiah on the way, which was who Jade wanted to talk with.

"You're leaving? Why now?" Miacaiah asked sadly.

"I. I can't go back into the city. Not yet. I'll be back sooner or later, but I just want to have some away, especially from here." Jade said.

"What about Volug?" Micaiah asked after a moment of silence. "I know how close you two are. I honestly don't know what he'll do. Because last night, before Nailah left, she told Volug to stay here to protect me and to take care of you." Jade obviously didn't know, yet at the same time she didn't seem too surprised.

"I don't know. I want to stay here with him too. I really won't be away for too long, just enough until I feel better about... what happened yesterday. Volug needs to stay here to protect you, since it is the first thing that Nailah said." Micaiah nodded her head in understanding, saddened by the a friend leaving, but let the sword fighter go.

Back at the tent, Volug woke and stretched out with a large yawn, feeling more rested than ever. When he turned to look at Jade, he was immediately on his feet when he saw that she was no longer besides him. Shooting out of the tent, startling a few people, Volug followed her scent until he found her sitting atop Nightmare at the edge of camp, her things packed behind her, and talking with Micaiah and a few of the other members in the Dawn Brigade. Seeing Volug approaching them, the others said their goodbyes, leaving Jade and Micaiah.

"Hey sleepy head, I was wondering when you were going to get here." Jade teased halfheartedly, though she could tell that Volug already knew what was going on by the pained look on his face when he shifted to talk to her.

What is wrong? Why are you leaving? Volug paused for a moment. "W-why?" He said.

Jade's eyes misted over a little until she wiped her eyes. "I can't stay here. Not in this city. Anywhere else would be fine, but I just don't want to be here. You do understand right, Volug." Even though Jade knew that Volug understood her reason, she still felt terrible. "I'm really sorry, Volug. I promise to be back when I can. And it will be you that I see first. I just hope by then you'll talk to me more like yesterday."

Volug was torn about what to do. He desperately wanted to convince her to stay, and tell her that he wanted to ask her to be his mate. Then again, he also understood her pain, knew that she needed to work through her loss. Going up to Jade, he laid a hand on her knee and looked up at her. Please stay Volug said, letting Micaiah translate for him.

"I will. After I work out my feelings." Jade said, placing her hand on his. Nightmare shifted a little, nearly breaking the contact, but remained still. Sighing Volug looked down sadly and, with his other hand, took off his necklace of wolf fangs. He stared at it for a moment and gave it to Jade. Understanding his meaning, Jade tied the necklace around her neck and smiled down at Volug. "I promise to give it back." Jade said. Without another word, Jade wheeled Nightmare around and galloped away with Sunny easily keeping pace.

For a while Volug and Micaiah watched her go until she was out of sight. The whole time Micaiah could sense the longing sadness emanating from the wolf Laguz, so much so that she even felt she was going to cry just by standing near him.

"I can sense how deeply you care about Jade." Micaiah said, looking over at Volug. "I suppose you wanted to ask her to be your mate." Already knowing that Micaiah has the ability to sense people's emotions, Volug just glanced at her at the corner of his eye and flicked his tail in response. Micaiah didn't say anything else and left Volug to himself. He stayed where he was until he could no longer sense Jade and went back to camp to help pack up.