I could sit here and try to come up with a huge apology to you guys explaining why I haven't updated this story in weeks...but I won't. The truth is, I have been so focused on trying to get my other story finished so that I can spend more of my time and energy on this one too. Fate Can Be so Cruel is well underway and Yes I know I said I would try to keep up with both stories but the fact is I can't. I'm closer to finishing Fate Can Be So Cruel more so than I am with this one so I will try to finish it as quickly as I can without ruining the story. That way I can focus more on this one and making it great!

Enjoy the Read...


Chapter 11

All according to plan

Three Days later, Back at the Fang's Base Camp…

Feng was walking through the encampment at a brisk pace, his brow furrowed in frustration. Drizen was supposed to be arriving today to retrieve the first of these blasted Keys and the Raven was late! 3 days ago, just like the Raven had told him, Drizen had sent word for the Mercenaries to begin heading to the far west towards a remote Valley beyond the Wailing Mountains, where Drizen would personally arrive to retrieve the Ancient Key that Feng and his men had acquired.

It was already High noon and still Drizen had not shown himself and Feng was beginning to get agitated. If he was expected to be at a certain place, at a certain time for an employer, he expected the same of them in return. But 3 hours past the meeting time and Drizen had still yet to reveal himself to the wolves and Feng was now beyond irritated.

He had left his tent to perform a sweep of the encampment to clear his head, leaving the Key in the protection of his two lieutenants who stood guard outside his tent day and night unless he said otherwise. "*Hmph* those two have been increasingly distant ever since the raid on that Valley of Peace…And it could only be because of one thing." As Feng's eyes narrowed as he remembered the face of his oldest son snarling at him in that Village a mere 4 days ago. "Nightshade…"

Without meaning to a low growl escaped the Dark Gray wolf, earning him a few curious looks from some of his men, but the minute he whipped his head in their direction, the soldiers immediately went back to whatever it was they were doing. Desiring some privacy, Feng decided to leave the encampment and wandered over to a nearby hill the overlooked it.

As he stood there on top of the hill looking out over the empty valley and down upon his encampment, Feng's thoughts once again drifted back to the Black wolf. "How many years has it been boy? 10…12…Who knows anymore?" Feng thought back to when he had confronted Nightshade and remembered the snow white wolf pup he protected that was hiding behind that Tiger cub…or at least he thought it was a tiger cub. To be honest something was a bit off with the runt but Feng hardly payed attention to it. He was too focused on the fact that he had run into his first born Son after 10 years…yes that sounded about right.

His thoughts drifting back to the Pup, Feng then mused himself with, "So you up and found yourself a new family huh Nightshade? Never pegged you for the type to settle down…never thought you would really just move on like that…you truly have forgotten your old Pack haven't you? Traded us in for a new one…oh well." But the instant he recalled the moment where Nightshade stood ready to fight alongside the Dragon Warrior, Feng's blood began to boil. "But of all the Villages to live in…of all the people to align yourself with, you chose HIM of all people!? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you did that just to spite me."

Feeling that he had now wasted enough time on his former child, Feng slowly began making his way back down to the encampment, the wind pushing at his back as it urging him to return to his tent sooner rather than later. There was one thing that was bothering Feng though as he continued walking towards the camp. When he first saw Nightshade, it wasn't anger that he always imagined he'd feel towards the wolf. No, it was something else. It wasn't pride that was for sure. But the more he thought about it the more he came to realize that he was just so incredibly…surprised.

He never in a million years would have guessed Nightshade would surround himself with a new Pack. If anything He expected the Wolf to turn to the life of an Omega…a lone wolf. But to have started a family of his own and to align himself with the Warriors of the Valley of Peace? It was then that Feng realized that Nightshade had really done a lot of growing up over the years and even though he never believed Lord Shen's vision was worth following like his Father did, Nightshade still managed to turn out okay…and that bothered Feng.


As he neared his tent however, his thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice shouting, "I don't care who you are, Nobody is to enter the Boss's tent without our say so!" Feng's head shot up as he looked in the direction of his tent thinking, "That was Min(Clever, Sharp)! what's going on?...the Key!" and with that, Feng sprinted the remaining 35 feet to his tent and flew through the half open entrance and came to an abrupt halt.

There, standing with its back to him in the center of the tent in front of a basic table stood a lone figure wearing a long dark robe with its hood covering his face. And while the intruder stood in front of the table, Feng's two lieutenants flanked them on either side, their swords withdrawn as they remained ready to strike, despite the sudden arrival of their leader.

Feng quickly withdrew his own blade that was strapped to his back as he asked seriously, "What's going on here? who are you!?" It was then the figure cackled as they turned around and Feng saw they were holding onto the Key he had just acquired a few days ago. "My apologies My friend but I simply could not await for your return…I had to see the key for myself."

Feng instantly recognized the voice as he sheathed his blade saying, "Min…Yin…lower your weapons. This man, is our employer and is always welcome in my tent…though I would appreciate some warning next time…Drizen." Instantly the two lighter gray wolves lowered their weapons and backed up to stand behind Feng.

As they took their positions Yin(Silver), the female Lieutenant stated, "Sir, I promise you he never came through the front entrance. We were standing guard when all of the sudden Min and I heard some whisperings inside your tent. When we checked to see if you had returned we saw him standing in front of the Key."

Feng nodded as he watched Drizen remove his hood, revealing his black Raven's head and his bright yellow eyes. "Yes, do forgive me my esteemed colleague. Perhaps next time I shall use they door?" Feng then snarled, "That would be appreciated Drizen…Is that the artifact you seek?"

Drizen returned his attention to the stone as he exclaimed, "Oh yes, quite indeed. This is exactly what I was told to look for, well done Feng." Drizen however asked, "What you were told? You've sent me and my men after something that you haven't even seen before!?" Drizen however dropped his polite attitude and snapped, "I do not pay you to question my reasons or my orders WOLF! Is that understood!?"

Immediately the two lighter gray wolves growled and were about to withdraw their blades once more but were stopped by Feng's hand as he motioned for them to wait. "Of course Drizen. I simply prefer some more...details…before I send my forces out on a recovery mission." Drizen nodded his head as he rolled the rock in his wing while staring at the artifact. "That is of course understandable…and I shall bear that in mind for the next job.

Feng then stepped forward as he said, "Speaking of the Job…have you managed to learn the location of our next target?" Drizen sneered as he asked, "Anxious are we?" But Feng's eyes just narrowed as he answered, "The sooner we find you the rest of those stupid rocks the sooner the Dragon Warrior ceases to exist." Drizen's evil grin fell at the mention of the Dragon Warrior as he stated seriously, "Indeed."

Feng then stepped forward and took the rock that was still in Drizen's wing as he examined it once more asking, "Are they all supposed to look like this one here?" Drizen however turned his back on the wolf and began walking towards the edge of the tent while answering, "It is impossible to say for certain. I can tell you however that the Crystal I gave you before will still react to the remaining two keys once you are near them."

Feng nodded as he said, "That's good to hear…but I'm afraid we still have a bit of a problem. What if the Dragon Warrior and those other Kung Fu Masters start to follow our trail? I don't imagine that they're going to just not follow us after stealing one of their artifacts." Drizen's face returned to a sneer as he said, "Well then if you shall see them in your travels…dispose of them." Feng's eyes widened in surprise and he was about to question Drizen when the Raven brought up a single feather saying, "However! You are not to dispose of 3 of them. The Dragon Warrior, Master Tigress…and that infernal Nightshade!"

All three wolves' eyes widened at the mention of the Black wolf. This of course did not go unnoticed by Drizen as he began eyeing them all suspiciously. "What is it?" he asked cautiously. Feng was about to reply when the she wolf to his right beat him to it asking, "What is it that you want with Nightshade?" Drizen's gaze fell upon Yin as she stood her ground and continued staring at the Raven. As Drizen walked over to her, his eyes narrowed practically into slits, Min took a protective step towards his twin sister, but was immediately stopped by Feng who shot him a quick growl, and the younger wolf retreated back a step, his eyes never leaving the Raven.

As Drizen now stood before the She-wolf, his eyes searching hers for something, yet Yin refused to cower away in fear. Finally Drizen spoke in a whisper, "That…is no concern of yours Wolf…know your place, I pay you to follow my orders, NOT to question them…am I understood?" Yin however just continued glaring into Drizen's eyes until all of a sudden…she couldn't breathe!

Yin tried to take a breath but no air was coming into her lungs, she quickly gripped her throat and tried to take in some air, but none came. She was suffocating! How was she suffocating!? "What is this!?" Yin Panicked, while her brother Min shouted, "Sister! What's happening to her?" as the wolf quickly knelt beside the she-wolf, unsure of what to do.

Feng however snarled at Drizen as he removed his saw blade and aimed it right at the Raven's neck growling, "That's enough!" Drizen briefly tore his gaze away from the She-wolf long enough to stare at the Dark gray wolf in the eyes. Quickly Drizen grinned and after glancing at the She-wolf once more, he released her from the grip of his dark magic, and Yin was finally able to take a breath once more.

After allowing the wolf to catch her breath, Drizen knelt down in front of the wolf and took her face in his wing saying, "Never forget your place again wolf…are we clear?" Yin just nodded as she tore her face away from his wing, while Min just growled at the Sorcerer. Drizen then stood up and walked over towards the table where a large map of China was sitting on top.

Drizen then took a brush and dipped into the nearby ink bottle as he drew a small "X" onto a single spot to the west. "This is the location of the Second Key. The museum of China's first Emperor, Emperor Quin Shi Huang." Feng finally sheathed his sword over his back once Yin was back on her feet and walked over to the Map to inspect it.

After a moment, Feng then declared, "We'll set out tomorrow at first light…it shouldn't take the Pack long to reach the museum." Drizen nodded as he replied, "See that you do…now…the Key if you would be so kind." Feng quickly handed the Key over to Drizen who grinned mischievously while saying, "Excellent…I shall be in touch once you have procured the second Key…until next time my friends." And with that, Drizen began walking out of the tent, it's door flap falling just behind him.

Feng immediately went to follow him out of the camp, but the minute he opened the flap, the Raven had already disappeared. "Where in the world?" Feng whispered as he looked around for any sign of the Raven, but discovered there was none. Drizen had literally just vanished into thin air. "Sorcerers…"

Feng grumbled as he retreated back within his tent only to see the youngest of the twins helping his Sister to her feet asking, "Are you alright Sister?" Yin just nodded her head as she got to her feet saying, "Fine…I'm fine Min." when Yin noticed Feng walking towards them though, she bowed to their leader saying, "Sir…If you will excuse me." and with that, the She-wolf exited the tent, followed closely by her brother, who gave Feng one last glare before following after Yin.

Once he was alone, Feng walked behind the table and pulled out a stool and sat down placing his head in his paws. As he sat there, his thoughts continued to race however as thought to himself, "Nightshade…even after all these years…you still manage to cause me nothing but grief. *Sigh*"


Meanwhile, within the wolf encampment…

Yin was brushing past the many soldiers who were in her way as she moved thoughout the camp, not caring if she ended up knocking someone over. She may have been the only Female in the encampment, but she was the 1st lieutenant to Feng and nobody dared to challenge the she-wolf, unless they were wishing to lose some teeth or perhaps a limb.

She was just about to reach her private quarters when she heard Min calling out to her, "Sister, wait!" Yin sighed as she stopped outside her tent and turned to face the Male wolf as he approached her, his face showing deep concern. When he stopped Min then asked, "Are you alright?" Yin just nodded as she said, "I'm fine…that Raven just rattled me a bit…Magic…I can't stand the stuff."

As she was about to enter her tent, Min grabbed her paw and said gently, "You know that's not what I mean…Are you alright…about Nightshade?" Yin closed her eyes briefly as she kept her face turned away from Min, When she did turn to face him, her face was blank and her tone was professional as she said, "Of course I'm alright. Why shouldn't I be?"

But Min wasn't buying her attitude as he snapped, "Don't play with me Yin. You can't fool me." Yin just sighed as she said, "It doesn't matter…Nightshade made his choice years ago. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep before we need to start tearing camp down tonight." Min, although a bit hesitant, nodded in agreement as he backed up saying, "Right…sleep well Sister." Yin just nodded her head in thanks as she watched Min wander off towards a group of soldiers she guessed he knew pretty well, before entering her tent.

Inside there truly wasn't much in the form of ornamentation. Whenever Yin came on one of these jobs that kept the pack moving around from place to place, she rarely ever brought more than what was absolutely necessary. There was a cot to the left. A large basin in the corner for washing in and a small table where she could eat her meals at in peace. To the right stood a mannequin, where her spare set of armor was displayed proudly, along with two curved Daggers hoisted to the mannequin's waist.

Sitting underneath her Cot however was the very thing Yin had come here to retrieve. As she sat on top of the cot, she reached down and pulled out a small wooden box the size of an average sized jewelry box. As she opened it, Yin dug around briefly before finding what she was looking for. A single scroll.

As she unrolled the scroll, the paper revealed it to be a painting of sorts, but not just any painting…a family portrait from back in the days where she and Min were just children. Standing off to the left was her Father Feng from before he had taken his family to join Lord Shen's army. To the Right stood her mother, a gorgeous light gray furred She-wolf. It was from her that Yin and Min had inherited their fur color. And standing in between them was Nightshade…the oldest of the siblings while Min and Yin stood in front of him while he placed a protective paw on each of their shoulders.

As Yin stared at the Black wolf she could not help but shed a tear for her older brother. Feng may have forever disowned Nightshade, and she herself did not know Min's feelings towards Nightshade. But to Yin, he would always be her big brother, even if once again they were being pitted against each other. "Why must it be this way Nightshade? After 10 years… I finally see you again and now you and Father have pitted yourselves against each other again…Will thing's ever go back to the way they used to be? I know that's what Mother always wanted."

And with that, Yin rolled up the scroll and stuffed it back into her private box, placing it back underneath the cot before she lied down and closed her eyes, trying desperately to escape her harsh reality and into her dreams.


Meanwhile, Far away, deep within the Northern Mountains of China…

The Dark mysterious cloaked figure was pacing the hall impatiently. Drizen should have been back ages ago. Surely it would not take this long just to retrieve a blasted rock? Regardless, the figure would have to be patient and wait. Whatever was keeping the Raven he was sure it was worth the delay. Drizen rarely ever did anything without a reason, this the Figure knew for certain.

Suddenly a red Portal tore itself open in the space behind him, casting a blood red aura about the Hall of the abandoned estate tat the two had taken up residence within. The figure watched as Drizen began walking through the portal and into the Hall, his right wing bleeding profusely while his left wing carried the object in which the both sought.

The Partner's face was focused towards the Rock as he stated in wonder, "At last, the first of the Ancient Keys is now within our grasp. Drizen nodded as he walked over and placed the rock into the cloaked hand of the Figure he had come to work alongside. "Yes, and I must say, the power emitting from it is rather impressive my friend if I do say so myself. Tell me, have you received any information about those pesky Kung Fu Masters yet?"

The partner continued examining the Rock as he answered, "I have been keeping an eye on them through your Cauldron in the back. They are currently on their way to the Second Key as we speak, they should be at the museum within a matter of days." Drizen then snapped as he began wrapping up his still bleeding wing, "then we must inform the Fang of their approach! We cannot allow them to get their hands on a single Key!" But before Drizen could so much as take a step towards the Cauldron, the Partner stopped him by saying, "Patience my friend…everything is going according to plan."

Drizen then turned around to face the Partner as he asked, "What do you mean?" the figure merely chuckled as he stated, "Let's just say that I have been preparing something special for those Masters once they reach the Museum." Drizen then asked cautiously, "You mean…you knew they would discover the location to the second Key so quickly?"

The Partner nodded his head as Drizen demanded, "How!?" but the Figure slowly placed the Rock into a small chest before he snapped, "That is no concern of yours Drizen…all you need to worry about is making sure those Wolves of yours can find the Keys and bring them to us safely…the Rest I shall take care of, Understood?"

Drizen although clearly reluctant just scoffed as he turned about and headed down the corridor towards his chambers, leaving the Mysteriously cloaked figure alone with the first of the Keys muttering, "Perfect…everything is going according to plan…just like I knew it would… heh heh heh heh heh." And with that, the Figure left the Hall in order to prepare himself for the next couple of days.


And there you go. I refuse to place an Authors note just so that I can get a message out to my readers unless it is an absolute necessity. There's nothing like seeing a story you lve being updated only to find out that there is no actual chapter. So, Instead I will place Reviews as myself while logged out to communicate with my readers who are not members of the site. That way once I update A chapter, I can just delete my own personal reviews.

Thanks for reading and remember...

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