Disclaimer: I do not own anything you can recognize from any book EVER. If you recongnize anything from any movie or book—anything, it isn't mine.

Chapter 28

Silverstorm turned to Kiran "We should leave her," she said to her friend. She started to walk and indicated Kiran to follow.

Maya knew.

Kiran looked at Maya and then to Silverstorm. "Silverstorm," she said. "I think the worst thing we could do is leave Maya to be angry and sad."

"But would you really want to see me angry?" Maya asked.

Kiran yelped. "Marlo's going to be okay!" she said.

Silverstorm nodded "You are right." That was when the words that Marlo was muttering hit Silverstorm, "Kiran did you hear the words?" she asked her friend.

"How would you know...everything one loves dies. That is how it ends. Always," Said Maya.

"I heard what he said," Kiran said sadly. "I feel so terrible that he was thinking of Maya as he died... you realize, Maya, this means Marlo really does love you, unto death."

Maya growled. "It always...happens to me. First Shade, and now Marlo..."

Silverstorm turned to Maya "I know death, Maya. I almost lived it once. I also watched the wolf who became not only my Milk Giver but my mother as a pup killed right before my eyes. I know death. I know loss. All hope is not gone yet." she said to the wolf who had seemed to given up hope but, somehow Silverstorm knew those words that Marlo was muttering meant something to Maya.

"Instead of sitting here and pouting," Kiran said. "I'm going to get Marlo's medicine before he dies." She headed off towards the Watch.

"But you are wrong, Storm. You're death was only of family. Not of your Mate. Not Marlo...not who I loved!"

Kiran stopped. "Your mate?" she asked, turning.

"Yes. Mate."

Kiran turned around. "Maya," she said. "You know the rule: Watch Wolves don't have mates."

Silverstorm noded to the grieving wolf. "I am sorry. I wish there was something I could do but we must remember this. Death happens to all one day. It will happen to all of us. He was a noble wolf Maya." Silverstorm says quietly. "Tonight we will give him the proper send off tonight when the great wolf constellation rises into the sky." That was when Silverstorm turned to Kiran. "Let it go Kiran. She just couldn't wait until they where no longer watch wolves."

"I don't care about rules. They're pathetic. Useless to this world of monsters," she growled.

Kiran frowned. Marlo won't die... I'm going to make sure of it, she thought.

Maya sighed.

Kiran turned back to the Watch with a confused expression. Mate...? She thought, walking off. They will surely be banished!

I hope I can trust Kiran... Maya thought.

Silverstorm also sighed. She knew that Maya was felling the most loss for Marlo. She was felling it more than any of Silverstorm's other friends. She wanted to howl or pray to the Great Wolf to spare Marlo. She raised her head but then looked to Maya. "Let us pray to the Great Wolf to spare him." Silverstorm said to her.

o~O~o

Chanoah felt ashamed that he had lost the wolf and thought about heading back to the territory of the MacDuffs, to run, to hide, not to feel the wrath of these unknown wolves, and another thought crossed his mind: What if I don't? What sorrow would I be bringing to the wolves? So, remembering the den where he last saw the wolves, he bolted running to tell the wolves the grave news.

o~O~o

"Or to someone more different." Maya said.

"To who then?" Silverstorm asked.

"Nobody. Do not pray for anything. They are only useless."

Silverstorm nodded but in her mind she was praying already, "Oh please Great Wolf." she was praying "Please spare my friend. Please spare Maya's mate. Please spare Marlo." She had repeated the, "Please spare Marlo" line many times. It was still early in the morning but she knew that she could somehow sense the Great Wolf constellation as it made it's way across the night sky on the other side of the earth.

Kiran arrived at the Watch, and rushed into Marlo's den for his medicine. "Where? Where?" she looked frantically, but at last found the jar. She grabbed it with her jaws and then ran out, running right into the Fengo. She set the jar down, panting, "Hi," she smiled.

"Kiran the Outclanner," the Fengo grinned. "I didn't expect to see you here." He stopped her as she began to go again. "What's the rush?" he asked. "You seem to be troubled. Tell me what is wrong, Kiran."

She turned, set the jar down again, and sighed. "Fengo..." she sighed. "I just... its just that Marlo and Maya..."

Fengo frowned. He knew that they loved each other. "Yes...?"

"They are in lo-... they are paw-..." she closed her eyes. "They are in grave danger, Fengo. I have to hurry and bring Marlo his medicine."

Fengo nodded. "Well, be on your way," he said.

Kiran finally returned to MacAngus territory. She walked in to Marlo, who was still unconscious. "Is he okay?" she asked, setting the jar down. Mirlo looked up at her and gave his head a little shake. Kiran set some medicine on his head and dabbed it with some water that had been in the jar. "It's alright, Mar," she said.

Mirlo shut his eyes, tears leaking from them. "Lupus, bring him back. Let him live." he prayed.

Silverstorm was still praying her silent prayer to the Great wolf when Kiran returned and went inside the cave. Silverstorm followed only because she really wanted to know what was going on.

Mirlo finished his prayer. "Lupus, let him live, please," he said.

Kiran bent down and listened to Marlo's heart, when it stopped. "He's..." she whispered. "He's dead."

Mirlo closed his eyes.

Let him live, Kiran thought: praying to whom she did not know. Please, Someone... not Lupus... Someone else... let him live to his paw-fast mate Maya. Silence continued, and Kiran moved away sadly.

"Where is Maya?" Marlo asked quite suddenly.

Kiran opened her eyes. "Marlo?" she gasped.

Maya, still to where Marlo first laid dying, only sat there, refusing to go back.

Marlo stood and opened his wounded eye. "I can see!" he said. "Blurry, but I can see! Where is Maya?"

Marlo stepped out of the den. He would find Maya and Raine or he would die again trying. "I'm going, Kiran," he said, running away.

"It's all their fault..." Maya muttered.

Silverstorm stepped back. Marlo was alive. He was alive. All the prayers had worked, or at least that's what it seemed like to Silverstorm. Marlo was alive and he would be able to live with Maya.

Marlo caught her scent now that the rain had gone away and began to follow it.

"Maybe I shouldn't have let any of them live. If I had been there Marlo wouldn't have been dead."

"Maya?" Marlo called. "Maya, where are you?"

That voice...Marlo? Maya couldn't feel happy though. She just did not feel happy.

Marlo ran forward, trying to spot her. "Maya?" he called again.

"Marlo!" she replied to his call.

Marlo saw her and ran, muzzling her. "Maya!" he cried. "Why were you not there? I missed you!" he nuzzled her deeply. "I love you, Maya. Don't forget that."

"Never," Maya said, a cold tone.

He looked up. "We have to find Raine," he whispered. "We have to."

"I know," Maya frowned.

Marlo began towards the north where Fire had gone, readying for a large journey. And so, the epic adventure had begun.

Charonah saw Maya and Marlo and ran to inform them about Raine but his paws slipped on the still slick grass. He regained his balance and calmly walked towards them.

"Huh. Who are you?" Asked Maya

He cocked his head to the side and thought: Oh, wait I didn't think this through; how am I going to tell them when I can't speak? He accidentaly let out a wheeze.

Marlo approached him. "I've seen you before," he said. "You ran after Raine... trying to save her," he looked back at Maya. "I think he's a friend."

"Oh...okay..." Maya said. "Thank you, random wolf"

Silverstorm walked out of the den to look for Marlo and Maya.

"Hi."

"Hi Maya, I see that you found Marlo." Silverstorm said with a small laugh.

"Yeah, I did."

"I don't feel better," Marlo said. "I ache terribly but I feel just as awake as usual." He nuzzled Maya affectionately.

"Hmm...well, that's good," she sighed.

Marlo looked up as it began to rain harder. "We should get to the MacNaans before they kill Raine," he said. "Silverstorm, I presume you're coming with us, so let's be on our way."

"Wait, wait!" Kiran yelled. "You aren't going without me!"

Marlo growled. "Kiran," he began sweetly. "Mirlo needs you around here."

Kiran thought. "Fine," she said. "I'll stay here, and if anything happens, I'll be the messenger to find and tell you."

"Also," Marlo added. "Make sure the pup Sky is alright... he's Raine's first friend."

"Yeah! We wouldn't want that pup being depressed if she doesn't find her first friend here!"

"Should I tell him that Raine is kidnapped? Or would that scare him too much?" Marlo asked.

Maya frowned at Marlo. "Let the childish adults handle it, we'd scare the poor thing if we told him that his friend was gone."

Marlo nodded. "We'll leave," he said. "Once I get my medicine."

"Okay," Maya said, "I'll wait here...unless you need help finding it."

He shook his head and took off, but returned soon after. "Let's go!" he yelled, beginning to follow a fading scent.

Maya nodded, padding off after him.

"I told Mirlo about Jay, Snake, and Fire so hopefully they will take care of them," he said.

"Yeah. Not kill...care."

Marlo laughed. "I'm not sure about Kiran," he muttered.

"Kiran...she doesn't seem like a killing machine type! But neither did I so... wha?"

"She almost killed Snake," he said. "Well anyway, I hope they don't come back. They are getting stronger."

"They probably somehow manage to train..." Maya mumbled.

"The MacNaans are fighting experts," Marlo said. "They go back and train until they attack again, I guess."

"Wow...well I guess maybe we should dig into their little - secrets - while we are there," Maya looked at Marlo.

"I have an idea," Marlo yipped. "We could join the MacNaans!"

"Go under cover, you mean?" Maya grinned.

"Yes," Marlo said. "We join them, and then don't tell them that we are Watch Wolves, and keep out of sight of Audren."

"Yes! But...one question...how do we get in, and look like normal, non-cursed wolves? They hate malcadh."

"We could ask to be gnaw wolves," Marlo suggested hesitantly.

"We'll try that and then if it fails...we'll have to somehow change our appearance to trick them."

"Good idea!" Marlo asked. "Let's go." Maya headed off. "How about we roll in dirt to look stranger? I mean, maybe they were at the Gaddergnaw and might recognize us." he suggested.

"...Yeah...change scent, the fur...heck, somehow change our eyes and bam: new wolves."

Marlo jumped down and began to roll in the dirt that was now mud. After Marlo, Maya rolled in the mud without even making a fuss over it unlike some wolves. Marlo got up, shook some of the heavier clumps off of him, and smiled at Maya. "You look ridiculous and funny at the same time," he said.

"I know...my eyes don't fit a brown pelt" Maya shuddered, the mud cold on her skin and fur.

Marlo whiped some mud from his eyes, but because his paw was covered with more mud, he only smeared more onto his head. "This is going to be difficult. Everyday you and I have to go and roll in dirt or mud that is by a creek." he looked to the territory again. "Now, for the last time, we should go."

"Hehe...sure...I hope they don't think you have a third eye with that large chunk of mud on your forehead," Maya giggled.

"I'm not that deformed," he muttered.

"I said the chunk of mud! Not you, idiot!"

"You're a lovely wife."

"Thank you. And you are a muddy husband," Maya said, flicking her tail.

Some mud flew from her tail and slapped him in the face. "And there's my fourth and very messy eye," he sighed, shaking his head, and then began to trot onward.

Maya laughed and ran ahead of Marlo. "Good luck with not slipping," he snickered.

Then, Maya slipped. "Dude...you really love causing Karma," she grunted, getting back on her paws.

Marlo snuffled in the rain. "We'd better get there quick or the mud is going to come off," he stated.

"Yeah I know...before it starts to rain harder."

Marlo carefully quickened his pace as to not slip, but soon the ground became more lush and it was easier to walk on.

"We must swim across this muddy swamp of mud!" she said dramatically.

Marlo threw his paws into an ever faster pace. "Come on! We're getting close!"

"Sure! Okay!"

Marlo stopped as he saw a wolf not far from them, "Look!" he whispered. "Okay, when I say so, we run around and beg him to be apart of the pack, alright?"

"I don't know if that's a smart plan..." Maya winced.

"Why not?"

"Well obviously, we'd have to go to the Chieftain! If we went to some random wolf from the MacNaans, they will think there is something strange up."

"True," he muttered. "But how are we supposed to get to Anna first without any other wolves seeing and attacking us? I mean, wolves with clear deformities aren't just allowed to walk up to a chieftain unaddressed or unidentified."

Maya felt like hitting her head up against a tree. "Fine!"

He nuzzled her. "Come on," he urged her.

"Yes..." Maya sighed and then followed through.

"So, we'll jump to this wolf and humbly ask to see the chieftain," Marlo explained.

"Wait...I thought we were going to plead and beg to become members?" Maya questioned Marlo.

"Yes," he nodded.

"Wait...beg the wolf? Or the Chieftain?" Maya became confused.

"Say to the wolf, 'Let us be apart of the clan, please! Take us to the chieftain so that he may decide our fate! We must join the pack!' Something like that."

"Do I say it? Or you? AH!"

"One of us can plead and the other can be crying in the background," thought Marlo aloud.

Maya frowned at Marlo. "Crying? That's gunna be you! I already cried enough when you were dying"

"Males just don't cry," Marlo thought. "I'll be in the back making puppy faces and nodding to everything that you say?"

"Oh yeah, right. So if I was dying, you wouldn't cry?"

"Of course I would cry! Males don't usually cry when they are desperate just to become part of a pack."

Maya sighed. "Sure, sure... but females don't either! I feel very offended by that comment, Marlo!"

"Regular females do. You were a gnaw wolf... you're more durable than other females. That should be a comment."

"...Durable? Sorry to actually say this for once but...I really don't know what that means." Maya said with a blank look.

"It means you are sturdy and tough," he barked. "Now are we going to do this or what?"

"Don't be so desperate. We'll do it, okay?" Maya grumbled, walking towards the wolf with her tail between her legs. She stopped infront of the wolf and gave a sad look.

Marlo sighed, rolled his eyes, and fell before the wolf in tears. "Please!" he cried. "All of the other packs will not let us join them, and your pack is so much better!"

"Please, allow us to have access to your Chieftain, Anna. You MacNaans outsmart them all...please..." Maya begged in a very emotional tone like she was about to cry.

"Bring us to him, we beg you!" Marlo pleaded, bowing submissively.

Maya did not really want to keep the act up for long, but still managed to fake sadness. The wolf looked confused, but nodded. "Follow me," he barked, showing the Watch Wolves to Anna.

Maya had her tail between her legs, slowly eyeing the wolves around her. They looked frightening and very...strange.

Marlo folded his hears back even further, hoping he looked thin enough to be a gnaw wolf and not a Watch Wolf. His tail was tucked tightly between his legs, and he regularly whimpered as he followed the wolf inside the territory.

Marlo can really keep it up for a long time...I hope at least, Maya thought silently to herself.

At last their guide stopped at a great cave, and Marlo became even more submissive and flattened onto the ground when Anna approached them. Maya looked at Marlo. She did the same thing like Marlo, but it seemed weird.

Anna growled. "Who are you and what are you doing in my territory, gnaw wolves?"

"We..." Marlo gulped, grinding his head into the ground. "This is my realative, Mia, and I am Mar. We are malcadh from two different packs... we have found one another and now we must find a pack. Please... please accept us. We knew your pack was the wisest to go to."

"Yes...please, please allow us! I have grown a hate in the MacDuncan Clan...but once I heard about you MacNaans, I knew there was a perfect way to get back at them." Maya whimpered. Uh oh...what did I just say?

"I've considered you before," Marlo said slowly. "But I was a foolish pup. He want to get back to you at last... when we are in our prime. We can be of service, I know we will."

"Alright, gnaw wolves," Anna snarled. "You may stay with us, but only on the borders of the pack. We will summon you for hunts. And you will not be late."

"Yes, Cheiftain Anna. As you wish." Maya whined.

"Go to your dens," Anna growled, turning back around.

Marlo, not being given permission to rise, began to waddle away with his head down. He yelped a few blows from others; he was not use this abuse like Maya had been.

"Gnaw wolves..." Maya growled under her breath, watching Marlo get whipped. She hated that.

When they were out of eyesight, Marlo rose back up and stretched. "Well," he whispered. "That was a lot easier than I expected it to be."

Maya nodded. "That's what makes me think that this place isn't really...wise."

Marlo sniffed out a fox's den. "Of course not," he said. "But they appear more so when we are their gnaw wolves." He began to enlarge it.

"Uh...what are you doing?" Maya asked him.

"Making a den," he said.

"Oh...okay...in a fox's den?"

"Yeah," he answered. "What's bad about that?"

"Are you even sure it isn't being used anymore?"

"I have a nose, Maya," he answered her with a grin. "I can smell. It's obviously being used."

"Well then why are you taking over it!? If it is being used, leave it alone, Marlo! Think of the fox family that has to live there!" Maya scolded Marlo.

Marlo laughed. "You're so dramatic!" he snickered. "It isn't being used."

But he just told me it was being used... Marlo!" Maya's eye twitched. "GAH!"

After a few more minutes Marlo was able to fit inside of it. "I'm going to have to work on it for a few more hours," he called to her.

"Okay. I'll just go doze off into some business while you do that," Maya yelled back.

Marlo rolled his eyes with a smile as he continued

"Maya!" he yelled. "You can come in now!"

Maya was laying on the ground, "Okay...just one more minute," she said as she bathed in the sunlight.

Marlo came out to her and sat beside her. The mud caked on them was dry and cracking, but she looked as if she was enjoying the sunlight too much to notice the mud. He laid down beside her. "I like when rain stops and the sun comes out," he said, glancing at Maya while on his back.

"Yeah...feels so good..." Maya sighed, her eyes closed as she laid on her back.

He scooted close to her until he was finally feeling the warmth of her fur as well, and he nuzzled her. "I didn't know being a gnaw wolf was this sweet," he grinned.

Maya looked at him. "It can be when you have a friend with you," Maya said, being choosy of her words even when she was outside their territory.

"Friend?" Marlo asked. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "You're my paw-fast." He nuzzled her deeper with a grin.

"I know! Secret though, right?" Maya whispered back to Marlo. She gave him a nuzzle and then got up on all fours and then padded into the den. It was a pretty neat structure that Marlo had dug, so she settled down in it.

He got up after her and followed her in. "Maya," he began. "We're going to have to change things. I'm going to have to start calling you Mia, and you call me Mar. If we're caught talking to each other by different names it won't be good. So you're Mia, and I'm Mar. Also, we have to offer our services a lot. They will hurt us, but we'll spot signs of Raine easier that way."

"Okay, Mar," Maya winked.

"We'll do so in the morning," he yawned. "Now we should get some sleep." He laid down.

"Yep..." she yawned as she snuggled down and fell asleep quickly.

Marlo came closer to her, nuzzling his head against hers as he fell asleep.

Marlo...Maya thought as she faded into a deep sleep.