Chapter 19

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Wolf's Rain!

Kota drops Fiyak's limps body and grins, blood dripping off his lips.

All wolves stop and turn to stare at Kota.

"I'm dearly sorry for this, Akiela. But you're worth nothing to me anymore. "

Before Kota can attack me, Hige and Blue leap onto his back. I dart in behind them, quickly trying to inflict some damage. I lock my teeth right under Kota's jaw, inhibiting him from biting me.

Kota begins growling and shaking as he tries throwing us off. Suddenly I'm yanked back by another wolf, only to have Kota snap his jaws around my hindpaw.

I howl as the bone snaps under the pressure. Blue swiftly bites down on Kota's tail, forcing him to let go of my paw and whip around at Blue. Blue jumps out of his way while I too limp out of range.

"Akiela!" Tsume helps me limp outside the clearing.

"What are you doing?" I pant and growl in pain.

Tsume glances at me. "I'm taking you away from here. Kota will be held back for a while. You're important to all the wolves now. You can't die. "

"Tsume, it's ok. I know I'm a pure blood but even if I survive, Kota will still come after me. It's useless. "

Tsume stops. The trees behind us block our sight from the battle even tho the growls and snarls continue.

"Akiela it's not just all the wolves out there that don't want you to die because you're a pure blood wolf. You're more than that. "

"Now's not the time to talk about me. Kota can still attack us. We have to go. "

Tsume nods. "Become human. "

"What?"

Tsume looks behind us. "If you become human you can ride on my back and I can run while carrying you. Unless you think you can run with your leg. " Tsume gently touches my leg.

I sigh and look into Tsume's yellow eyes before nodding. "Alright. Lets hurry up. " I give up my wolf form and shift into a human. Tsume watches me closely as he crouches down. I slowly climb onto Tsume's back and wrap my arms and good leg around him.

I bury my face closer into Tsume's fur as he stands up and begins to run farther from the battle. The brisk air sends shivers down my human skin.

"Man I hate being a human. They're so defenseless!"

Tsume's ears twitch but he doesn't respond. I couldn't understand him even if he could understand me.

I tighten my grip around Tsume, trying to keep warm with his fur. It doesn't take long before my eyes shut and I fall asleep.

When I open my eyes it's just getting to noon. I sit up looking around at my surroundings.

"Where am I?"

Behind me someone wraps arms around me.

"Who the hell is touching me!"

"It's just me. "

I turn around and see Tsume. He was human. His unusual white hair was a little ruffles after sleeping.

"Tsume? Where are we? Where's everyone else?"

Tsume looks past me. "I don't know where the others are but were far away. I had to make sure Kota wouldn't be able to track us too easily. "

I cross my arms against my chest. "What are we going to do? "

Tsume looks at me. "We're going to continue onto Paradise. The pack will meet us there. "

"How will they know how to get there? They don't have Cheza. Neither do we. "

"No. But pure bloods are drawn to Paradise. You'll be able to lead you and me there. Kiba rescued Kiya. Once Kiya is healed enough he can lead the pack to Paradise. "

I lean back into Tsume as a breeze stirs up.

"When's the next full moon? It'll easily heal us. "

"I don't know. It might be soon. We'll have to soon. Now do you want to stay here or keep moving? It's only going to get colder. " Tsume wraps his arms around me.

"Tsume. "

I look up at him.

"Akiela. I want to apologize. "

"For what?"

Tsume sighs. "For treating you the way I did. After being unable to reach Paradise the first time it was upsetting. I thought that you would hold us back. "

"Tsume I kind of did. Because of me the pack has been attacked multiple times and already a couple of wolves have died. You could've already been to Paradise. "

Tsume shakes his head. " I realized with more wolves we can be stronger and can defeat anyone who tries to stop us. "

"Except an immortal wolf. "

Tsume looks back down at me after watching a distant bird. "We can still overcome that. We'll make it. But you won't have to sacrifice your life to open Paradise. We're going to get back Cheza. "

"How? We don't even know where the noble took her. "

"I know. " Another cold wind ruffles the leaves. Instinctively, I curl closer to Tsume. He tightens his embrace. "You and me can save her. "

It's my turn to shake my head. "If I go there it just makes it easier for the noble. He won't have to go around trying to catch me. "

"I'll protect you. I'm not going to let him take you. "

Our eyes lock as Tsume finishes talking. My heart skips a beat, remembering my dream.

"Tsume-"

"Shh. Just let me look at your eyes. They look so beautiful. Never in my life did I think I would meet a pure blood wolf and be this close to them. "

Tsume lifts a hand and lifts my chin up. "Akiela, I don't know what to say to you anymore. I'm just a half blood. I was born into a pack of other wolves. We strived to live. When the nobles came and began killing us some of us turned on the other. I was one of them. I turned from my pack. I ran. When the alpha found out he attacked me and banished me from ever returning. That's where I got this scar. "

I lift a hand and gently run my fingertips across the scar.

"At least you had a pack. Mine was wiped out when I was still a pup. Them when I found a new pack Kota came and wiped them out too. He has always wiped out my pack and I'm determined to not let it happen again. I've come to trust all of you. "

Tsume smiles. "I had to trust the original pack then you. I didn't think I could trust you. You were different. I noticed you had a different smell than Kiba. No one knew who you were. You may not of had to prove to the other wolves that you could be trusted but I had to see proof. When we went to save Cheza for the first time you knew what to do. You fought hard, even after you were injured. Even when I attacked you on the roof you stood your ground and didn't try to injure me even tho I was trying to hurt you. Akiela you are a good wolf. "

I smile, feeling my cheeks become warmer. It was a feeling I never got before.

"Thank you, Tsume. "

He smiles. "I'm not done. Back in those woods when we first hunted together, you had the speed and strength to bring down a deer, then take on another wolf. Even after Lakota fell into the river you went to save him and nearly died. I thought it was stupid of you to do that but when I think about it, I think of how every pack needs a wolf like you. You're not afraid to step out and risk your life to save one of us. Akiela we need you. " Tsume puts a hand on my cheek and slowly leans forward. He pulls my head closer as I shut my eyes at Tsume's warmth. My heat thuds in my chest as I feel Tsume's breath on my lips as he says, "I need you, Akiela. " Our lips lock together. Above us, birds take flight alongside another strong wind. From behind some clouds a few rays of sun fall down around us, providing some warmth as we stay locked in a kiss.

I break away and look at Tsume. He looks back at me and grins.

"I'm sorry, Akiela. I don't know what got into me. I-"

"It's ok. Let's go hunt now. "

"You sure you're up for it?"

I nod as I step away from Tsume, shifting back into a wolf. I stretch out my front legs, then carefully my back. I shake out my fur as I yawn. Tsume becomes a wolf and begins stretching too. He then looks at me.

"Ready?"

"I always was. " I flash a smile before heading into the trees as fast as I could go. As the hunt begins, the warm feeling that was developing for Tsume surged through my blood, giving strength to my stride. Everything was slowly starting to look better.

A/N: That was quick! Well I guess since I'm sick I can write more. I hope it's good enough for you guys. It's hard writing these scenes right in the middle of my life when things just don't want to work. At least Akiela is getting some love! Now this is not a dream she's having this time. Being away from the pack Tsume can finally confess what he's been thinking. How sweet! XD well ima go be all sick and sleep. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Also I wanted to explain to the one reviewer who asked y Akiela is always rude to the other wolves y she's like that. Akiela is trying to be stronger in front of Kota. Trying to show she can take him on alone (even tho she can't). But it was all just an act to show she is still strong enough to take on Kota if he tried to attack again. Anyway thanks for all the reviews! I really enjoy reading them! :) until the next chapter have a good day(s)!