Me: *looks out window of jet* Fire, do you see any sign of the target?
Fire: Negative, Grizz, the target is out of sight.
Me: Copy, Fire. Sky, any signs on your side?
Sky: Nothing, Grizz, keeping an eye open though.
Me: Copy. *Takes off mask* Sorry bout that y'all. Kind of helping a couple friends of mine out hunting for someone. Now last time we left off with the guild finding out that the guildhall had exploded and that everyone's favorite shifter was down for the count. I'd say it's time to learn what's happening to our favorite girl.
Metal: Grizz, I have sight of the target.
Me: In other news I'm glad to see y'all again. It's been days too long. Now if you'll excuse me I'll see y'all later. *Puts mask back on* Copy, Metal. Just like we practiced crew, dive out and capture. On my count: three, *the jets on my right pull away* two *the jets on my left pull away* CAPTURE STRIKE!
Chapter 28
Kuma P.O.V.
The sound of the wind over the plains, the scent of wild flowers surround me, and the warmth of the sun caresses me, causing my eyes to open and see a bright blue sky overhead.
I sit up and find that I'm in a field of wildflowers in a forest. Off in the distance I see a wall of white and my eyes widen.
Staggering to my feet I turn in a circle, my mind not believing what my eyes are seeing. I tilt my nose to the wind and sure enough I can pick up the clean, cold scent of the glaciers.
"Kuma!"
I turn at the sound of my name to see a woman with red streaked brown hair in a one shouldered doeskin dress. The dress is simple in design, but has a string of beads around the waist with a piece of bone shaped to look like a bear's head in the center of it. On her left arm tattoos travel all the way up and over her bare shoulder, then stop at the base of her neck. Her eyes are a dark brown almost black but lightens toward the edge.
"Little bear, it's been so long."
Tears start to fall at the nickname and I look up when I feel a hand cup my cheek. "Màma, how are you here? How am I here? What happened?"
Her thumb runs over my cheek and I lean into her hand. "Oh, my little bear, you've gotten so big, and judging by your markings you're well on your way to mastering your flying forms."
The lump in my throat makes it hard to swallow but I nod. "I've had to learn more after the poachers found the pack dens."
"Little bear, all that matters is that you're home now." I shiver at her whispered words and want to believe her, but something holds me back, prevents me from believing that I'm truly home.
A sense of longing hits me and I look her in the eyes. "Màma, can I please see the dens again?"
She nods. "Anything for you, little bear."
We walk through the field of the wild flowers and enter the pine woods I know so well. My feet follow the trail automatically and we start to make our way through the familiar trees.
Normal P.O.V.
In a tree on the other side of the clearing an orange puff of smoke and a purple puff of smoke, one a woman, one a male with wings and horns, can be seen sitting on a large branch, watching the meeting between the two grizzlies.
"Ember, are you sure this is the best course of action?" The woman crosses her arms over her chest and lowers her chin until she's glaring at her feet.
"Honestly, Ryu, half of me is telling me that her body needs time to recuperate so let her mind wander the fields of her memories."
The male's wings shuffle behind him, an action that causes puffs of orange smoke to blow away. "And what exactly does the other half say?"
"That this whole thing is a very bad idea and may cause her to retreat too far into herself for even the slayers to call her out." She mutters, barely loud enough for him to hear.
He chuckles and she watches as his form disappears, the smoke sliding down the tree until he reforms, leaning against the trunk and looking up at her.
"Well then, let's see what Kuma does. Only the bear can know her limits and only the bear can tell when it's time to return to her family."
Ember frowns but disappears only to show up beside him. "If you think so, then we'll watch and wait, but if it gets out of hand I'm pulling her out."
Ryu nods. "You were given the responsibility of watching out for her so I trust you to lead."
He offers his arm to her and as she loops her arm through his she looks up at him. "Actually, I've been meaning to ask about that since Acalypha."
He arches an eyebrow. "Ember, Acalypha was over fifty years ago."
She pouts and they disappear, just two puffs of smoke floating through the field of wild flowers.
Kuma P.O.V.
The scent of pine needle smoke fills the air and I look back at Màma, a fanged grin in place as I turn back to the trail and pick up speed until I'm practically flying over it, every turn, every twist having already been memorized.
A clearing appears up ahead and I can make out gray wisps of smoke rising from some of the dens. I burst into the clearing, my chest heaving as I take in the sight of my pack.
The mothers and unmated women are at the fire pits, either skinning recent kills or stirring the pots for what smells like deer stew. The elders are sitting in front of the lodge, the den of the pack leaders, telling the cubs stories and legends I know all too well, while I catch sight of a group of males hauling in some more kills for dinner.
I move with a spring in my step through the pack, stopping every now and then to talk to a particular pack member or watch an activity before stopping in front of the lodge.
One elder, a female who's hair is bound in a white braid down her back and who's eyes are milky white sits in a rocking chair closest to the door of the lodge.
She's silent as she listens to one of the other elders tell a tale about a mocking bird who defeated a fox by using a rabbit. That is, until she stops rocking and her nose lifts to the wind.
"Kuma, I may not see a bee an inch from my nose, but I can always recognize my granddaughter's scent."
I giggle and walk around the group of cubs to stop in front of her. She stretches her arms out and I lean in, squeezing her as tight as I can.
"Gramamie, I've missed you."
"Then how come you don't ever come by anymore?"
I pull away and wipe the tears from my cheeks even as I smile. "I've moved on, Gramamie, I've become stronger and I've joined a guild in Fiore."
She reaches up and runs a hand along my left arm, stopping on my gem. "I'm glad to hear it, Kuma, but what is your element?"
My hands take hold of hers and I heat them up, causing her to arch her eyebrows in surprise. "My, Kuma, I never saw you as a fire element. With your brother it was easy to tell he would become shadow but you, you surprised me just as you always have."
"Thank you, Gramamie."
She smiles and I can see her teeth are worn down to almost nothing. "Think nothing of it, Kuma."
"Kuma!"
I let Gramamie's hands fall and turn to see Màma walking up. "Kuma, I just talked to the pack leaders and they would like you to come along to scout the borders."
My eyebrows draw together, that feeling at the back of my head that I don't belong growing stronger. I push it back down and smile at her.
"I would love to, Màma."
She smiles. "Excellent, the pack leaders want you to follow the south western to eastern border scouts. They travel by air so you'll need to make sure the form you choose isn't gonna fail you."
I hug her and go to move away, throwing over my shoulder, "I'll see you when I get back, Màma!"
Running, I catch up to the patrol just as they're taking off and shift into my golden eagle form.
Normal P.O.V.
"See any reason to pull her out?" Ryu questions from the cloud he sits on. Ember huffs from where she sits next to him.
"Okay, so far nothing has happened, but don't you think too much time has passed back in the reality?"
He gives her a pointed look. "Ember, you know Tengyu is the best at keeping track of time and from the sounds of it, she's almost completely healed."
She scowls and dissipates leaving Ryu to growl before following her.
Now I know there's gonna be questions aplenty so hit me with your best shot. Reminder: Somethings may be left as unexplained for the simple fact of they'll be explained in later chapters.
In the meantime staying up until 2 in the morning is a pain in the ass. Like I'm so tired it's not even funny anymore. I wanna say it's the summertime but really time just flies by too fast.
and I'm procrastinating. Go figure. Next on the to do list: Reviews!
XBnemesisX, you think there's plot twist now? You ain't seen nothing yet. Also thank you for the compliment.
Sam, Thanks, I was really hesitant about last chapter because of how I wanted the emotion to show up. I guess it does feel like it. It's hard to believe that we're already twenty eight chapters in. Okay, yeah I wrote Lahar a little calmer then I should've but in my defense I rewrote the entire chapter the day before I had to update. I'm the same way when it comes to reading something and watching it. I still can't get it out of my head that Happy's voice is so high pitched even though it's a female actor. XD Dude, I prefer the dub over the sub if only because I don't have to keep going between reading the lines and watching the actions.
Pixie Pixel! Love the slogan, lol, it's amusing. Natsu and the slayers will keep the gems safe alirght, there's also more promised to come that I don't think and of y'all are gonna see coming. I think your heart is gonna give out after tomorrow. Crews is in for a big curve ball. Give you a heads up. Look up Safe and Sound by Sam Tsui and prepare the tissues.
Augustos, *throws a hogtied Strike at your feet* You wanted back up I sent in the calvary. Lol as soon as I read your review the image for the opening A/N popped into my head and I just had to use it. I have to admit I enjoy these role play A/N's. they throw in a little bit of change from my usual style. Wesley, there is only a lull before things pick up speed. Now that we're going you'll need to tell everyone to buckle down because it's gonna get bumpy. Juan, Gems play a huge part in this story. Like uber major Fallout 4 climb in your armor and hide in the bunker huge part. Farkas, WTH?! Save me some popcorn! *pouts*
That's all folks, like I said earlier if you have any questions all you have to do it hit me up. Oh! before I forget I have a poll happening on my profile. My earliest stories including my very first 'Tail of Two Dragons' may be getting revamped and rewritten. There are seven options total and you get to pick the three you think should be updated. when the poll closes on August 1st the one with the most votes will be taken down, rewritten, then reposted. I'm leaving it to y'all to decide which ones you think deserve it most.
Grizzly out for the night.
