Morning came with the cries of eagles and blinding sunlight but the wolves had already made up their minds. Bri woke up in the arms of Tsume and pressed her smiling lips to Tsume's cheek as greeting. "Let's go to the others" She whispered.
Tsume only nodded his head and they both stretched before walking out of the tent and joining up with Toboe and Hige. Hige only looked at them with a ghost of a smile, a pale imitation to what he would have done had the pressing issues not be raised.
They met up with Iyek who had been tending to his horse. He turned when they approached him, each wolf looking grim.
"Its time for us to take off" Tsume said, his voice sharp with the morning air.
"Already?" Iyek replied with a trace of uncertainty in his voice.
"We're looking for a friend of ours but we can't seem to pick up his scent" Tsume stated before turning to look at the mountains in the distance, "Do you know what lies beyond those mountains?"
"A dangerous land, no one goes there"
"It wouldn't be the first dangerous place we've been too" Hige mumbled to Toboe.
"So its a place no one else would be able to find huh?" Tsume mumbled to himself quietly. It had seemed that as Kiba had gone, he had naturally assumed the alpha male status and Bri thought that if not for the circumstances, it would've suited him well.
Iyek only turned to look at the wolves, eyes blazing. "Let's go"
They started off towards the mountains, listening to Iyek as he told them about the mountains and the land before them.
"Beyond those rocks is a land called the Desert's bones"
"Why the Desert's bones?" Tsume interrupted.
"The Earth is so parched that even the sand has left it but it is said that whoever ventures into it experiences true happiness" Iyek explained.
"Why the hell would you find happiness in the desert?" Hige asked scathingly, causing the others to look at him briefly.
"The spirits of the land tell us that there is a giant patch of grass that's been growing there for thousands of years. It guides anyone who lies there to the Garden of Eternity"
Bri turned her head to look at Iyek, an unfamiliar feeling blossoming in the pit of her stomach.
"The Garden of Eternity?" Hige asked.
"Do you think that could be Paradise?" Toboe whispered, speaking up for the first time.
"I don't know, no one that's gone there has returned" Iyek replied.
Bri's stomach erupted in butterflies, feeling a range of emotions from excitement to uneasiness. She felt a sort of premonition, like something bad was going to happen soon and her brow creased in worry. Tsume noticed and gripped her hand tightly and with just that simple gesture, all of her worries seemed to vanish (cheesy as it seems).
"So we don't really know what the place is like" Iyek continued explaining, "Why don't all of you stay here and live with our tribe?
"I'm afraid we can't do that, you see our friend is the one that is looking for Paradise" Tsume said, looking into the distance but still gripping Bri's hand reassuringly.
"See you around, let's go" Tsume started forward.
Bri turned around to Iyek, "Thanks a lot for all your help"
"I'm...I'm not going" Toboe weakly said.
The other wolves looked back at the young wolf, whose eyes started burning with resolution.
"I wanna stay here"
"You're gonna stay here huh? So does that mean you don't wanna be with us anymore?" Tsume asked in a hard voice causing Bri to squeeze his hand in warning.
Toboe didn't look at them instead looking at the dirt, "Yeah"
Hige, Bri and Iyek looked at Toboe with shock but only Tsume seemed not surprised.
"There's something about this place, how Iyek and his people live. That's Paradise to me" Toboe explained.
Tsume only stared at Toboe, his eyes cold and hard, "Are you sure? Toboe is this what you want?"
Toboe didn't reply, he only continued to stare at the ground.
"Well if that's what you want then that's okay by me kid" Tsume said, before turning to walk away and dropping Bri's hand, "Take care of yourself kid"
"Hey!" Hige exclaimed at Tsume's retreating back.
Bri put a hand on Hige's shoulder, "Let him be, he's old enough to know what he wants" She cast a glance back at Toboe and when she met his eyes, she gave a small smile before walking towards Tsume.
Hige only stared hopelessly at Toboe, who only turned back towards the village. Hige himself went to walk with his pack, sulking at the change of events.
The rocks were hard and sturdy and about the only thing Bri knew about for certain that they would stay there for years on end, not crumbling like their pack. She knew that all of them were affected by Toboe's decision to leave, even Mr-Cold-To-Everyone Tsume. She guessed that he was probably the most affected one out of all of them with Toboe's departure.
She trailed behind, mulling over Toboe and Kiba's situations and fondly reminisced about the formation of the pack. Before, they had been total strangers who had only had their wolf sides in common. Afterwards, they had been the closest and happiest pack who only had one goal in mind: Paradise.
But now, they were split up and it felt too similar to the beginning to Bri. She vainly wished that they would all be together by the time they found Paradise but it was highly unlikely now.
They walked and walked, the only indication that time had moved was the sun lowering itself as each hour passed.
"Since the day I met him, that kid has wanted to be around humans" Tsume grumbled, his voice breaking the silence.
"Tsume" Hige said, more in shock than anything.
"That runt has always had a soft spot for them" Tsume continuted.
"Probably because he grew up with them" Bri mumbled.
"I guess that was pretty obvious" Hige sighed, looking downcast.
"Didn't you say that you had given up on Paradise too?" Tsume asked, "Don't feel like you have to tag along for my sake"
Bri coughed, "Our sake"
Tsume only looked back at her silently and Bri could feel the indignation bubbling inside her at the implication that was in his eyes.
"You would keep going? Even by yourself?" Hige asked and Bri just coughed again, feeling miffed that nobody seemed to notice her presence.
"I wanna see it for myself" Tsume said, stopping in his tracks, "If wolves really do cause the end of the world, I wanna be there when it happens. Besides, there's no way I'm giving up now, not after spending time with that pig-headed jerk"
Bri felt surprised at Tsume's words. It was like the old Tsume was back, the one that she had known when they were kids but it was mingled with a new Tsume, a wiser one that didn't seem as hotheaded. Hige looked as surprised as Bri felt.
"So I'm gonna look for him" Tsume continued walking.
Hige and Bri ran after him, "So are we!"
Bri walked next to Tsume, smiling at him when he looked at her. She looped her hand with his and felt the reassuring warmth between their palms.
They kept walking before Hige said, "Hey Tsume, when did you start talking like that? You sound like him"
Tsume only looked forward, a ghost of a smile on his lips. They kept walking in silence until they reached a cliff that gave them an astounding sight.
"Wow what a wasteland" Hige said.
Wasteland didn't seem to be the word for it. It was a large expanse of land that was pale compared to the red rocks that they had been walking on it. It didn't seem to have anything contained within it and cracks ran along the ground because of the lack of water and Bri knew that this had to be the place. This was the Desert's Bones.
It wasn't until they scanned the Desert's bones more clearly before they spotted something in the distance.
"Is that it?" Tsume asked.
"It looks like it" Bri responded before something caught her attention.
A low whirring sound reached their ears and they looked towards their left before spotting the source. It was tank that was oddly familiar.
"It's those guys!" Hige exclaimed.
They ran down and across the Desert's bones, trying to evade the vehicle that was in hot pursuit of them.
"The way they're coming, it's almost like they can track our moves before we make them" Tsume grunted, beads of sweating appearing on his forehead.
"Its kinda pointless to run and hide!" Hige replied.
"Well we have to do something!" Bri exclaimed.
They approached the plant seconds after the vehicle had arrived. Soldiers came out, armed with weapons and walked towards the plant.
Immediately, the wolves sprung into action and jumped on the men, their fur bristling and snarling. An arrow flew into the air and struck one man in the neck. Bri looked to see who it was and saw Iyek riding on his horse, picking the dead man's weapon up and shooting at the other soldiers.
She saw Toboe as well and felt relief flood through her. But it didn't last long as two men who were close to the plant suddenly collapsed, leaving the fight finished.
The wolves and Iyek approached the plant and Bri felt dread replace the relief she had felt moments ago. There, lying underneath the plant with mattered fur and bones sticking out was...
"Kiba" Toboe murmured. He reached his hand out towards Kiba.
"Stay back, don't go any closer. The plant has paralysed him" Iyek's voice sharply commanded, slighlty muffled by his hand over his mouth.
"No...he can't. He can't be!" Toboe whispered.
"He isn't dead!" Tsume barked loudly.
"Maybe not yet but if we don't pull him out of there he's gonna..." Hige exclaimed before trailing off as Iyek approached the plant, picked Kiba up carefully and placed him on his horse.
"Your friend's spirit has been taken but I'm sure the elder can call it back" Iyek said.
"Hurry!" Toboe exclaimed and they all ran towards the village, worrying about their friend.
Nightfall had fallen and they were in the Elder's brightly lit tent. The Elder chanted and sprinkled sand as he tried to call back Kiba's spirit. Seconds passed and they felt like hours to Bri. But finally, the wolf's eyes opened and looked around weakly.
"Kiba?" Toboe and Bri asked.
Kiba's eyes continued to look weakly around and everyone was in silence, trying to suppress the sadness they felt. Bri could feel the sob at the back of her throat that threatened to spill from her lips.
"Remember us?" Hige asked softly.
Toboe had tears in his eyes, "Kiba? Kiba?!"
Kiba looked at them before a hoarse voice said, "Hey guys, long time no see"
The sob escaped Bri's lips and she burrowed her face into Tsume's chest, letting the relief replace the sadness and trying to calm herself down. Tsume stroked her hair and let out a sigh of relief.
"Stupid Kiba" Bri mumbled into Tsume's chest before turning to look at Kiba.
"I suppose you think that's funny huh?" Hige exclaimed, annoyance filling his voice.
"You scared us half to death! Where have you been?" Toboe asked.
Kiba stared at them, "Some place peaceful, it was almost like Paradise"
"But...it wasn't right?" Tsume asked.
"No, they kicked me out" Kiba replied before closing his eyes.
They gasped as Kiba's eyes closed, fearing the worst.
"Do not worry, your friend has returned to you" The Elder said in his soothing voice.
They sighed in relief and exited the tent.
"We should leave once Kiba's back on his feet" Tsume said, staring up at the moon and still stroked Bri's hair.
The moon hung before them, full and tinged with red. It was an almost melancholic sight that seemed to remind them of what they were looking for. But for Bri, it seemed to stir something from within and she knew that she had to do something tonight because this full moon could be their last.
Hige nudged Toboe, "What do you want to do runt?"
Toboe only sighed, before Tsume continued, "No matter how hard you try to hide at some point you'll have to fight"
"Don't stress over it too much Toboe. You just have to...let your instincts take over a bit" Bri added, patting Toboe on the back comfortingly.
"Like it or not, that's just the way it is" Tsume said.
"I know, I know that" Toboe muttered.
A tent rustled and they turned to see Kiba walk out of the tent, his head tipped towards the moon.
"You okay now?" Tsume asked.
"Yeah. I guess I overslept" Kiba replied, "I feel like I've been dreaming for a really long time. A strange and wonderful dream"
"What your spirit saw was the Garden of Eternity" The Elder said.
"The Garden of Eternity?" Kiba asked.
"You experienced joy and tranquility unlike any you've felt before yes?"
"Yeah" Kiba replied.
"That is enough to satisfy most people, they embrace the illusion and never look back. But for you that place was not enough or you wouldn't have returned" The Elder continued.
Kiba nodded, "There's somewhere else I have to go"
Bri realised that she would have to hurry so she tugged on Tsume's hand. "Come with me for a bit, please?"
Tsume got up and they walked away from the village, out in the open. The moon was the only source of light and Bri felt like it was mocking her now.
"What is it?" Tsume asked her.
"It's the full moon and it might be our last and I don't really know how to put this without sounding selfish but Tsume...I wanna be yours"
Tsume looked confused, "But you are mine?"
Bri laughed slightly, "I mean...fully yours. Like as in mates"
Tsume looked surprised at her suggestion. He stared at her with unreadable eyes and she immediately regretted what she had said, "But you know...it's okay if we don't, there's a lot on our plates and I know that this is really selfish of me but...just...we don't have to do this..." She rambled on before Tsume cut her off by kissing her on the lips.
"It's fine. I understand why you want to do it. But are you sure you really want to do this?" He asked, his eyes burning into hers.
"I want to but I'm scared. But if I hesitate then maybe we will never be together...in that way and I just don't want to go to Paradise with regrets and we don't even know what Paradise is like and I just...I want to do this" Bri said before twining her hand with Tsume's.
"Make me your mate" She whispered and as Tsume's fingers trailed along her skin and his lips moved against hers, she suddenly felt lighter and happier as Tsume touched her, kissed her and made her his.
Afterwards, her neck and the area between her legs ached but Bri didn't care as she was officially Tsume's mate. She smiled at him and even though her fears had melted away before, she could still feel them at the back of her mind but as she kissed Tsume again, she realised it didn't matter.
All that mattered was that she was his and he was hers.
They walked back to the others and Kiba and Hige looked at the two knowingly but didn't say anything just smiled. Kiba continued explaining about what he had seen in his dream.
"I met a nice girl"
"You? Met a girl? No way!" Hige exclaimed.
Tsume scoffed, "I should've guessed. No wonder you seem less uptight"
Bri elbowed Tsume in the ribs and Kiba only smirked before replying, "What about you?"
Bri blushed lightly and tried to kick at Kiba jokingly before Toboe butted in, "But wait, I don't get it"
"And you won't, not for a few years" Tsume remarked.
"Not like Tsume huh Bri?" Hige asked her, waggling his eyebrows which caused him to get a smack on the head from Tsume.
"Don't talk brat" Tsume growled before putting his arm around Bri. She only smiled up at him and Hige made vomiting sounds causing them to both glare at him.
"But oh man Kiba has all the luck" Hige lamented, returning them onto their previous topic.
"But why can't I get it now?" Toboe asked Bri.
"Cause you can't" Bri teased, ruffling his hair.
Kiba smiled at the group, "The whole time I was there, I felt like I was forgetting something"
"You mean Cheza?" Tsume smirked.
"Not just her, I mean you guys"
"Huh?" All of them asked, surprised.
"I thought you were dead" Kiba said.
"You've gotta be kidding!" Hige exclaimed, "Do you know how hard we busted our butts to find you?" He lifted his fist threateningly.
"Oh you did? Sorry I didn't notice" Kiba replied easily.
"That brain of yours is never gonna change is it?" Hige asked, defeated.
Then the most astonishing thing happened. It started with a chuckle before blowing out to a full roaring of laughter from all of them.
"Let's go" Kiba said.
Hige, Bri and Tsume looked at Toboe. Bri half hoped that he would change his mind and continue on with them towards Paradise.
"I...I...I'm not gonna whine anymore" Toboe said, looking at Kiba, "And I won't run away"
"Wanna bet?" Hige asked snidely.
Toboe turned to look at Hige, "No way" He said with a confidence that Bri hadn't heard in his voice before.
Tsume flicked Toboe's head before turning towards Kiba, "You ready? The kid sure is"
Kiba nodded and they started walking. Bri could feel the dull aches from before but stubbornly refused to acknowledge it, instead focusing on the newly reformed pack and felt at peace with everything.
Iyek walked behind them with his horse and they made light conversation.
"Is Paradise far from here?" Hige asked.
"I don't know but I bet we're gonna find it" Kiba replied.
"Do you think it's okay that we're trying to get there?" Toboe asked.
"Take comfort in knowing that the spirits are with you" Iyek said with a smile.
They said their goodbyes to Iyek and started walking again, Toboe only slightly hesitating before joining the others.
They ran throughout the night and throughout the day, barely taking pauses as they rushed to find Paradise.
Okay, so this chapter is done. Some of you guys might hate me for making Tsume and Bri join as one but its relevant to the plot and also I didn't want them to both die as virgins xD
So the story is progressing and I am determined to finish this story because I've kept it alive for ages and I need to get an ending. I'm hoping you guys liked this chapter and I would like to hear your feedback :)
-Black
