Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot and my characters: Madeira, Rain, Tirane, Rukomi, Meji, and Aztalan.

How long has it been, Madeira? Rain asked, startling Madeira out of his thoughts.

Madeira asked, looking over at Rain and getting the glare full in his eyes from the sun reflecting off of Rain's white-blond hair.

How long has it been since we saw Rukomi and Tirane? Rain repeated, looking up into Madeira's eyes.

Madeira sighed, thinking. About six years.

I wonder how they are now. Maybe we will see them again soon, Rain mused.

Madeira agreed, proceeding through the meadow they were traveling through. Up ahead, he could see where the dense forest continued. His eye caught a light colored blur in the forest, heading towards them. Rain, do you see what that is in the forest?

Could it be? Rain asked, squinting. It is! It's a young Great Wolf!

In a few short minutes, the Great Wolf had reached Madeira and Rain. His blond fur was matted with burs, and his green eyes stared at the two other Great Wolves in their second forms.

Are you Madeira and Rain, of the Great Wolves? He panted.

Yes. Who are you? Madeira asked, raising an eyebrow at the young demon.

I am Meji of the Great Wolves. I must ask you to come with me, Meji growled.

Why is that? Questioned Madeira.

My mother has been searching for you. I smelled other Great Wolves and I knew they were you. We are the only ones left. Meji replied.

You must have a good sense of smell to have picked up our scent from miles away, but I don't doubt you. We will come with you, Madeira said wearily, preparing to shift shape. Rain did the same.

A few minutes later, the three of them arrived in a small clearing where Meji's mother lay in her Great Wolf form. She lifted her head up, and stared in shock at Rain. Rain! I never thought I would see you again!

Aztalan? I thought the demon slayers killed you when our pack was massacred? Rain growled, before touching noses with her in way of greeting.

No. I saw you two escape and I have been searching for you ever since, Aztalan replied weakly. It was then that Madeira realized why Meji had sounded so urgent for them to come with him: Aztalan was dying. She had deep gashes in her sides and legs. One of her ears was missing on the opposite side that Rain was on, so he didn't notice it.

A small white form wiggled out from underneath her. Aztalan looked down at it sadly. Rain, I am dying. I need you to take care of my young.

Rain looked at her, completely shocked. How could his best friend since he was young be dying? No, you can't be dying, Aztalan. That's not possible!

Rain, look at my wounds. There is no way to recover from this. The demon slayers are still after us. They got me, and I can't let them get you or my young. You must leave. They are close by.

Rain shook his head. I will not leave you! He snarled.

You must, Aztalan growled softly. While they had been arguing, Madeira saw that a dark figure had crept up on them. It stood perfectly still in between two trees at the very edge of the clearing. The only way he knew it wasn't a shadow of a tree was the way its fingers danced on a chain looped around its waist.

Rain, we must leave now. There is a demon slayer hidden by the shadow of the trees. There may be more. Madeira growled quietly. Rain looked to where Madeira had been looking, then nodded.

Madeira picked up the youngest Great Wolf pup in his teeth, and nudged Meji in front of him. Rain slowly walked away, his ears flat against his head and his tail tucked in between his legs. He turned back one last time to see the demon slayer come out of the trees and use the chain it had around its waist to give one final blow to Aztalan.

I'll get you, all of you. I promise you that, the demon slayer called after them. More shadows emerged from the trees. There were too many to fight. Rain turned around and ran after Madeira.

After they had been running for a good half hour, Madeira stopped. He let go of the Great Wolf he had been carrying, hoping that he had stopped in a safe spot.

Meji wouldn't look at any of them. She doesn't have a name yet.

Who doesn't? Madeira asked.

My sister. She doesn't have a name yet. My mother didn't have time to name her before the demon slayers attacked us. Meji, now in his second form, started to cry. Rain came up behind him and put his arms around him.

Would you like to name her, Meji? Madeira asked gently.

I would name her Aztalan, if I were to name her, Meji said, wiping away his tears.

That's a beautiful name. I think that would be a good idea, Rain said, standing up. The three of them looked over at the newly named pup, who was too young to change forms.

Madeira nodded. So that settles it.

Author's Note: I hoped you like this chapter, even though it was so short. Please review!