Chapter 12: The End?

(Azure's P.O.V.)

After Wolf's surgery was finally finished, and much arguing and almost an arrest, the hospital staff had finally agreed to let me stay in the room with Wolf. I was currently in the bathroom, giving myself a well needed bath from the events that happened earlier this day. As I was letting my back soak, I saw more and more of the red water going down the drain. I didn't want to leave Wolf's side, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want me to look dirty on the other hand.

When the water had finally shifted from the red of blood, to the clear clean water, then I started to move around more, making sure I didn't have any other blood in my feathers. Once I was pleased and sure there wasn't any more blood; I started preening my feathers. The feeling of my beak going through my feathers was nothing compared to the pain I was feeling in my heart however.

Once I was relatively dry, I flew back over to Wolf, and landed in his lap, and proceeded to preen myself even more. I didn't have anything else to do, so I thought I would make myself gleam, like Wolf had done once before. The sensation of knowing Wolf was alive by his breathing was enough to make me feel warm in my heart. Being allowed to be in the same room as him was also a privilege in itself, even though the staff hadn't wanted me to be in here at all.

Now that my feathers were as soft as the pillow Wolf was reclined against, I was feeling slightly drowsy. As I carefully walked up Wolf's lap to his chest, I looked around for a comfortable spot to rest. The area around his arms was off limits from all wires and things running on, or in, his body. His lap wasn't somewhere I wanted to be, it didn't feel like I was close to him, and if he woke up, he wouldn't be able to reach me easily. I looked back at his face, and I saw a small nook next to his neck where I would fit, but it was right where he had been shot. Sighing, I finally just walked up to his neck, and maneuvered under the blanket that covered him up to his chest, and turned back around. I lied down on his chest, with only my head sticking out of the blanket. I don't know what it was, but I saw a rectangular box with a black mirror pointing at Wolf and I during most the time. The beating of Wolf's heart was calming to me, and I could slowly feel myself drifting to sleep. Before I ventured into my dreams however, a felt a single tear slip out from eye with the thought Wolf may never wake up…

(Hospital Camera Room Staff)

"Look at that… guess that bird does have a special relationship with that patient."

The security guard that called the doctor looked back at the camera, and noticed a sparkle, and leaned even closer, "hey, uh Doc? Is it possible for a bird to cry or anything similar to that?"

"I believe so, why?"

As the guard turned to look back at the Doctor, he said, "I think that bird just shed a tear…"

The doctor looked at the screen closely, and rubbed his chin thoughtfully before speaking, "Well, that ornithologist did say than teen right there did set a lot of exotic birds free, and even captured the three Smugglers that broke out of the prison… he even said that teen managed to shoot the lead smuggler," as the doctor pointed at the bandaged arm, "with that shoulder having been shot… I'm going to guess that bird is smarter than we give it credit for."

"Yea…"

As the doctor turned to leave, he said, "Keep an eye on him, when he wakes up I have a few questions for him… he has blood like I've never seen before."

(Azure's P.O.V.)

The feeling of being lifted, and a slight tilting forward woke me up. I heard a quite groan, and when I lifted my head, I could see Wolf looking around the room. He didn't appear to notice me yet, so when I jumped up and gave him the best kiss on the cheek I could; I felt him jump. When I backed up, he looked down at me and smiled. "Thank you Wolf…"

He looked at me, and he had a quizzical look on his face, and asked, "For what?"

"For living…"

Wolf smiled, and gently scooped me up in one hand, and lowered me onto his lap. He started to pull the white things off of his arms, and I couldn't help but watch curiously. The doctors had said the main reason they didn't want me in the room with Wolf was because they thought I would do what he is currently doing. "Wolf, why are you doing that?"

While he was looking at his arm, he said, "I thought maybe we could go to the beach…"

After he got the tape off his arm, he slowly pulled a metal thing out of his arm, and repeated the action with the tube further down his arm. When he was finished, he slowly picked me up, and swung his legs over the side of his bed also. He set me back down on the warm bed, and stood up, but weakly. As he took a few steps forward, he noticed a pile of something on the other bed. Wolf picked up a note, and read it out loud, "Hey Wolf, sorry that I couldn't stay and wait for you to wake up… but I needed to find a construction crew to repair the damage by the plane. Here's some clothes that should fit you, and fifty Real's, so if you want to buy anything. Stop by whenever you want so we can discuss your reward…"

Wolf looked at the clothes piled on the bed, and asked, "I'm going to change in the bathroom, but if you want to talk to me, I'm ok with that."

(Wolf's P.O.V.)

After I asked that, I heard Azure say, "O.K."

The walk to the bathroom was short, yet difficult from the wounds I had sustained in the plane wreck. Man… if I'm struggling to even move this much, it's going to be a rough day today, but I'd rather be outside than in a hospital. I closed and locked the door behind Azure, and I stepped into an adjacent section of the bathroom, and slipped into the boxers while keeping my hospital gown on. After I had them on, I tore off the gown, and gasped at what I saw. I was covered in bandages, and I had multiple injuries even I would take time to heal from.

I slipped into my shorts next, and finally threw on the shirt Túlio had left me, but it was one of those small sleeveless shirts. As I walked back towards the mirror, Azure asked, "How do you feel?"

When I arrived at the mirror, Azure was perched near it, and I ran my un-bandaged hand along her back, and as she closed her eyes, I replied, "Like I'm on my last leg…" I looked back to the mirror and observed myself. I had cuts running down my arms, with one of my hands bandaged, and the opposite shoulder was bandaged as well. Since the shirt was small, I could make out the bandages running across my abdomen, along with a large bandage adorned onto my shoulder next to my neck, but on the side my hand was bandaged. When I looked lower in the mirror, the bandages on my legs weren't so excessive, as since there was one wrapping all the way from my ankle up to the bottom of my calf. The overall appearance made me seem like I had just fought a war and come back.

I looked back at Azure, and I asked, "You want to go to the club later? Even if we don't dance, we can just enjoy the atmosphere."

She seemed to brighten up at the prospect of going to the club, even if it wasn't to dance. I put some deodorant on, and used the mouth wash Túlio had left me. I picked Azure up, and when I opened the door, I pocketed the cash I had put on the counter. When I shut the restroom door, I opened the door to the hallway, and I glanced either way before I started to walk towards the elevator.

As I pressed the bottom, I held Azure closer to me, and she peeked up and asked, "Is something wrong?"

Looking down at her, I whispered, "No, but I can't help but feel someone is going to stop me…"

When the elevator doors opened, I stepped in briskly, and quickly hit the first floor and the doors close button. I sighed in relief when the doors finally closed, and I leaned into the back wall. I heard the beeping keep going, and I stood up when I felt the lurch of the elevator stopping. I looked up, and saw it was, indeed, the ground floor. When I stepped out of the elevator, I started walking towards the door when I heard a voice to my right ask, "Mr. Wolf, may you come here?"

I groaned, and I turned to the voice, and saw an elderly man standing behind a desk. When I started walking up to him, he held out a clipboard, and I expected he wanted me to take it… but I wasn't going to do that. He looked up when I didn't take it for a few minutes, and said, "Mr. Wolf, if I may, what is your blood type?"

When I looked into his eyes, I asked, "Are you the head doctor here?"

"Yes, I am, now may you answer my question?"

"Just one more thing," I smirked as he raised his eyebrow, "Do you do your research?"

The elderly man seemed taken aback by such an absurd remark, and he answered, "Yes… now what type of question is that?"

After he asked that, I looked down at Azure, who looked up at me, I whispered so only her and the doctor could hear, "Watch this." I glanced at the doctor again, and I said, "I'm blood X…"

The doctor dropped his clipboard, and I couldn't help but burst out laughing, startling a few male and female nurses nearby. "I just love that reaction… well, I'm gonna be leaving now. Have a good day doctor."

As I turned around, I could hear Azure giggling, and I started to walk to the doors…


I had finally made it to the beach, and it wasn't as packed as I thought it would be. I walked down to the far end where their wasn't too much people, and as I plopped myself onto the ground, I felt Azure sprawl herself all over my chest. I closed my eyes, and breathed in the warm air, and felt the cool ocean breeze roll across my skin. I heard wing beats, but when I opened my eyes, I was glad to see it was just some Blue and Gold macaws flying over Azure and I.

I was slowly falling asleep, until I felt a nudge in my chest, and I glanced down, to see Azure looking at me with a sheepish smile, and when I heard her say, "Can we go to the club now? I'm also hungry."

When she finished, I said, "Sure… I'm going to shift into a bird though."

A shimmering took place, and before I knew it, Azure was covering me entirely, and I could feel the bandages shrink also, until they to, were bird sized, and wrapped all the way around me. when I looked up at Azure, she giggled, and slowly lowered her beak until it was next to mine, and she lightly kissed me, and said, "I can finally get a kiss from my Wolf…" she batted her eyes at me, and stood up. I chuckled as I stood up, and stretched.

When I asked, "Are you ready?" Azure nodded, and we took flight toward the food market. I was enjoying the lazy spirals we were making, but when I felt Azure crash into me, I glanced over, and she was just giving me a mischievous grin. What *gulp* what is she planning… aww… I don't have the energy for this. I'm tired even of just thinking…

I spotted the tarp covered club from our vantage point, and when I heard Azure say, "can we get a mango?" I looked down, and nodded. We flew down to the ground where no one was looking, and I turned myself into a human, and the bandages followed suit.

Azure flew up, and landed on my shoulder, while being careful of my wounds, and I walked around, looking for a fruit stand that had mangos. When Azure pointed further down, and said, "I see some mango's over their Wolf." I followed her directions, and we were soon looking down. "Let me stand on your hand, I'll show you which one is the best one.

After Azure was standing on my hand, I slowly moved my hand over them until she pointed to a fairly large one, and it seemed to be the best out of them all. When I paid for the mango, I put Azure back on my shoulder, and I headed back to the club.

I set Azure down on the ground, and the mango next to her, and after I made sure no one was looking, I shape shifted again. When I was next to Azure, I asked, "Do you want to eat out here, or find a table in the club?"

"Out here would be fine…" Azure answered.

Gesturing for her to take the first bite, I waited until she took a piece until I started eating. I enjoyed, and relished the rich juicy flavor, with a slightly sour tang. I glanced over at Azure, and I saw her slowly peal a piece away with her beak. When she caught me staring, she giggled as I turned away with my feathers on end. I lowered my head and took a bite, and I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the flavor, and texture of the fruit. I was so focused, I didn't notice Azure coming around the fruit; that when I lowered my head to take another bite, Azure was their instead. Hm… this mango does taste different, but good… wait, if I can taste it, and I'm not even chewing…

I opened my eyes, and I saw Azure, her open beak with my open beak. AHH! I yelped in surprise, and I fell backwards onto the ground. I was looking up, and when I saw Azure poke her head above me, I chuckled nervously…

Azure bent over, and helped me up, and when I felt Azure give me a hug, I asked, "Y-you ready to go in?"

She looked over at me, and gave me a nod, and kissed me again, this time with her beak closed. I might have liked it if I wasn't startled out of my feathers, but I ruined it for myself… *sigh* we neared the club tarp, and walked in. I was greeted by fewer birds than expected, but not so little to call it empty. A bright light shined on us as we entered, and I could hear Pedro yell out, "Lookie hear, it isn't the hero and his hot-wing themselves."

I recognized the next voice as Nico, "Hey Mr. hero, what happened to you?" I didn't need to look down; I remembered what I looked like. We started to walk down the rows, while various birds taking double-takes at my battered body, and found a table that was far enough from most the other birds to be comfortable. I saw Nico and Pedro fly from the stage, and towards us. I looked over at Azure, and I saw she was smiling that mischievous grin again.

Nico landed near Azure, and Pedro landed near me. I noticed Azure leaning down to Nico, but Pedro started asking, "Yo bird, why are you covered up in bandages? We heard about you going all ninja on the smugglers, but no one said you got hurt."

As I looked at Pedro, I answered, "well, I didn't want anyone else to…"

(Azure's P.O.V.)

I started to lean over to Nice, the tiny yellow canary, and I reached a wing out in front of him, so Wolf couldn't hear what we were talking about. When I did that, he looked up at me, and asked, "What's up hot wing?"

"Can I ask for a favor?" I studied Nico carefully, and when his face grew curious, he replied, "I'm listening."

I grinned, and I asked, "Do you know any… slow, romantic songs? I plan on dancing with Wolf later."

Nico grinned, and said, "You got it hot wing. Can I ask you for a favor?"

When he asked this, I grew curious myself, and nodded. He gestured behind him with his head, and when I glanced over, I saw a petite female canary eyeing him, "Can you go ask her later if she likes me? I have been seeing her here for a while, but I don't want to make a fool of myself. Being famous singers with Pedro and all, would embarrass me if she didn't."

I just stared at Nico with a blank expression, and he grew nervous, "What?" I stared at him some more, before I finally said, "Of course she likes you… she keeps staring at you…" Nico made to look, but I stopped him, and I said, "Hold on," I looked at Wolf, and I said, "I will be right back Wolf." I gave him a mischievous grin, and a flirtatious wink. I giggled when I saw him blush, and look back at Pedro who said, "Look at you Wolf."

Turning back to Nico, I ushered him away, and started herding him towards the other canary. Nico asked, "Where are we… no, you're not serious, are you?"

Smiling as I nodded, Nico tried to stop me, but I just picked him up, and walked over to the blushing female canary, which wouldn't make eye contact with Nico or I. when we arrived, Nico was a stuttering mess, and I had to hit him lightly on the back. I tapped the female canary on the shoulder, and asked, "Hello, are you busy?"

When she turned to face us, she made eye contact with Nico, and they both started blushing uncontrollably. She managed to answer in a stutter voice, "N-No, *gulp* I-I-I'm n-not…"

I asked in a gentle voice, "My name is Azure, this here is Nico. What is your name?" I had to fight the smile away, and try to look innocent. She made eye contact with me and said, "Nice to meet you Azure," she looked at Nico, and I can't believe it, but she blushed even more, "pleasure to meet you Nico. My name is May."

"Nice to meet you May." I said, I stealthily nudged Nico with my talon, and he muttered out, "Hello May, pleasures all mine." This time I couldn't help but let lose my smile.

I started walking away, but I said, "Well, I have to go back to my date. Play nice…" by the time Nico realized I was leaving, it was too late for him to try and go with me, I winked as he stared after me. Turning back forward, I saw Pedro talking with Wolf, but I also saw a group of girls of various species gawking at Wolf. Sighing, I thought, my work is never done…

When I arrived to the table, I wrapped my wings around Wolf, and when he turned his head to me, I kissed him, with a open beak this time. His beak was open as well, and I could feel him melt into it; he started to lean into me. I heard a few of the girls groan, and I broke the kiss. Wolf had a dreamy look in his eyes, and I heard Nico shout out, "OK PEOPLE, LETS GET SOME DANCING STARTED. First song is for couples only."

I grinned as Pedro took off towards the stage, and I grabbed Wolf by the wing, and started to drag him towards the dance floor. When we arrived, I decided I could just enjoy the song now, with Wolf…


(Wolf's P.O.V.)

As I interlocked my beak with Azure's, I couldn't help but feel the love flowing in between us. I had an amazing day, including the plane crash. This little adventure has turned out to be more than I wanted it to, but I was happy in the end. I had an amazingly beautiful girlfriend, if you could call her that, and I had friends that trusted me to limitless ends. When I had saved all those birds, even if it wasn't as much as Blu had done before; I managed to get all the smugglers locked away for good. When they claimed that I was a bird as well as a human, the Brazilian government had ordered them to be placed in a mental ward, and once they were deemed ready to be released, they would be sent straight to prison… and as for Nigel, no one believes he will come around again anytime soon. Word had spread that a guardian angel, or for those that knew my name, a Guardian Wolf, had arrived into a small portion of the jungle. Azure and I would live happily; we would have each other's love, and she would have my full protection, even if my life hung on the line to save hers… which it has a few times. A one day to be mates was one thing neither of us had expected, and more so for me, considering I haven't even had my gifted powers for a month yet. A journey, a relationship, an adventure, and the best of all; a life, was handed to both of us when we first met each other. On that fateful day when I was a fool; but a fool with a destiny, I had begun my journey to a greater life.

As I gazed into Azure's rich, and stunning emeralds that are known as eyes, I could see that our future would not only be bright, but with bumps in the road that we would under every circumstance, succeed, and come out even better than we were before. "You do know Azure; you are my main reason for loving my life so much…? I might have died all those other times, but I came through them… knowing you would be waiting for me on the other side of all the darkness." I continued to gaze into her eyes as they started to swell with tears. I leaned forward, and closed my eyes again, and gave Azure another kiss, and with that, she pulled me into a deeper, more passionate kiss… when she finally pulled away from me, she gazed back into my eyes, and she said, "And you know that you are everything to me… I was never out going, but with you, everything has changed; I even managed to hook Nico up with a girl…" hearing something like that caused me to chuckle, and before she continued, I kissed her again. I looked at her, and said, "That is another reason why you are so amazing, my dear Azure."

When I could see her eyes getting droopy, I carefully rolled her onto her stomach, and I wrapped a wing around her and said, "Let's go to sleep…" and sleep we were both indeed going to get. I had remade the nest, so not only was it even more comfortable, but the wind chill would never get either one of us cold again. I snuggled closer to Azure, and I could feel her smile.

"Goodnight my dear Azure."

"Goodnight my hero."

dammit… I forgot to do something again! Guess I'll have to talk with Túlio tomorrow…

When the tide comes in with what is a surprise,

The tide may bring adventure,

Or a spark of life.

But when the tide recedes,

We may find what we have desired,

Or we may find something much, much better…

PROLONGE:

"Azure, I know you have been feeling homesick," Wolf glanced at Azure, who perked up, "So… I have been thinking… let's go visit your family. You know, we can fly back there, and this time you would be guaranteed a safe trip." Azure ran up and gave Wolf a hug, causing him to smile. Azure pulled away, and gazed up at him before pecking him, and taking off to go take a bath. After Azure had left, Wolf pulled out a small flower, and a piece of paper. In the paper was a poem Wolf had dedicated to Azure. It had only been two weeks since the plane crash, but time passed by fast when you are in Rio. The flower was a remembrance of how Wolf and Azure had been with each other for a month… and were still happily living with the other…

A.N.: I have had fun writing this story, I have left that bonus thing up above, and that is for you to decipher. The more reviews I get, the better chances of their being a sequel. And if you have read all the chapters in this story, you will note how I am not cheap in writing my content. This is it… yes; this is the end… or is it?