Thank you, oh thank you for the reviews. But some of you are quite confused about the story. I know her mother is dead when you read in the Tamora Pierce books but hey this is my fanfic and I can make whatever I want so don't get confused. :D

N/p: New paragraph

The rose that withered in the night sky

In the cold night, where the water is still, not a word was uttered, not a sound could be heard, stood a woman. In her arms was a baby girl sleeping soundly. Her mother smiled softly. She stands in a high balcony staring in the distance and a rose was seen in the garden.

The door opened and a tall man with sapphire eyes and black hair entered.

The woman turned and smiled but the man didn't smile. He lifted his hand and great orange magic soar from his fingers to the woman. She didn't have time to gasp as she fell. Her eyes turned yellow, furs started to appear on her pale skin, her teeth turned to fangs. The baby fell from the woman grasps and was crying.

The man advance towards the baby and was raising his hand as spark of orange magic appeared.

The black wolf picked the baby with it teeth and jump from the balcony to the quiet night. It ran to the forest. The man didn't run after but looked as the black shadows disappeared.

The wolf was tired by then and couldn't go on for the baby was crying loudly. By the river she left it there, hidden behind the bushes.

To her great sorrows she left and run back to the darken forest and never return for her souls are trapped in this body... forever.

The moon shone brightly on the one rose that stays in the garden. The petals soon drifted away as the rose withered in the night sky.

(N/p)

She moved quickly through the forest. Her paw made little noise. She could smell human yet one of them smells familiar. Her fur stood back as she saw two lads sitting making camp. Her nose must be playing tricks on her.

She sat there looking at them then to her surprise she saw a dagger flying straight towards her. She gave a loud howl which rang through the forest. Birds flew out of their nest.

Alanna.

(N/p)

Alanna jumped as the she heard a wolf cries. She looked at George whose eyes were on a bush.

'I think I miss,' he said not leaving his eyes from the small bushes.

'What do you mean?' Alanna asked, tensed. George didn't answer but take out a piece of bread and meat. He ate silently. Alanna thought he will never answer and jumped when he did spoke.

'Let's see if my dagger is still there.' He said standing up.

'What? Did you throw a dagger?' she was surprise for she didn't see him lift a hand and threw anything. Her eyes were on him most of the time for she didn't want to get lost in the dark forest.

They walked over to the small bushes and to their surprise saw a black wolf laying on the ground a dagger next to her paws. She looks at them with great yellow eyes. Alanna thought she saw that the wolf have purple eyes but it soon disappear or she probably imagine it.

George went to retrieve his dagger. The wolf sat there without flinching. 'Hmm, I wonder why this wolf is lonely.'

Alanna nodded. Usually wolves travelled in pack but this wolf was lonely.

'So George when did you throw that dagger? I didn't see you move your hand.' His eyes twinkled. 'Not telling.'

They left the wolf be but Alanna couldn't help but feeling a great sensation that she know that wolf.

They set a camp fire and slept in their sleeping bag. They watch the stars up in the cold night.

'Why are you going to Tortall, lad? You are too young. I say you are about fifteen.' He said, not leaving his gaze from the night sky.

Alanna didn't answer for she didn't know why she wants to roam around. She was an orphan without a mother or father. When she was little she must defend herself for she lived in a cruel world. She remembered how she went hungry for days with no food and has to steal from a stall. The owner would catch her and beat her until Margaret, the woman who found her when she was abandoned, told them to stop and paid them whatever she steal from. She was old but very kind though very poor. She was sick when Alanna was five and died when she was ten. Alanna was left alone, learning to fight from watching soldiers and learning to defend herself.

Such a cruel life she lived in.

'I guess I wanted to explore and learn new things.' Alanna answered finally.

'You are one of a kind Alan.' George said then gave a loud yawn. She smiled as she heard him snore. He was a mysterious person yet she felt comfortable around him.

The moon shone brightly and she slept easily for she felt safe knowing that George is there.

(N/p)

George woke up to see Alan still sleeping. He could feel a sense around here yet he couldn't see who. He decided to sharpen his dagger and sword which he carried hidden behind his black clock. The scabbard was black and it blended in with his clothes.

He whistled as he sharpen every weapons he have on him. A man may need it when there is trouble.

Alan soon came awake and was yawning. 'Have I been sleeping long?" he asked, covering up another yawn.

'Yes, very long. It is almost night.' He said, with laughter in his voice but Alan didn't noticed and jump up surprise.

'Why didn't you wake me up?!" he cried in alarm.

'Hey, calm down lad, I was just joking.' He dodged a rock coming flying towards him.

'You are so dead Cooper.' He jumped out of his grasps and tripped him as he ran straight at George. He fell flat on his face and George laugh merrily. 'You are quite slow lad. You better learn speed.'

'I show you speed.' And he hit George on the head with a rock, which George didn't notice and didn't have time to move.

'I take that back,' George said rubbing his head grinning.

'Thank you,' Alan went to pack his things while George packed his weapons.

They were about to leave when the wolf from last night walked over to them. It sniffed around Alan then George then Alan again.

'I think its hungry,' Alan said to George.

George takes out a piece of meat which the wolf ate hungrily. It went back to sniffing Alan which George found this is confusing.

'I guess its like you,' George said.

'Yeah,' Alan pat the wolf on the head and then the wolf ran back to the forest and was out of sight.

Alan sighed, 'Too bad its gone. I kinda like that wolf.'

George heaved his heavy bag and saddled onto his black horse which he remembered stealing it back at Pirate Swoop but then the memory turned back to his mother. He shook it out of his head.

They ride through the forest and finally came to a clearing. There were hardly any trees here. There were a small lake and a cave which to their luck for it was nearly night. They decided to rest for their horse was tired and they have been riding without stopping.

George however was still funny on their ride and he offered to teach her some skills in combat and sword fighting. Alan gratefully accepted and George said they will train first thing in the morning and he must wake up really early.

'No problem. I can wake up first then you.'

'Ah, you think so do you Alan? We will see.' His eyes twinkle mischievously.

'Don't you give me that looks.' Alan said.

'What looks?' he said, his eyes turned innocently.

'And that looks Cooper.' He pointed a finger at George.

They were setting camp when they heard footsteps. A gang of bandits emerged from the forest, each holding a sword.

'Give us your money!' one of them cried. They were wearing a green overall and wore masks. Alan takes out his sword and George did the same.

George grinned, 'I don't think so lads. You have to get through us first.'

'Gladly.' They charge towards them.

Out of the corner a black wolf jumped out from the trees and bit one of the men.

Alan slashes a man down with one throw but he didn't see a man behind him. The bandit caught him around the waist and was pointing a sword under his chin.

George slashes the man down. 'Okay lad?" George asked and cut another man down.

'Yeah. Thanks.' There were a few left by then and they soon retreated for their master had died which the wolf attacked.

'Yeah, run away cowards. And don't come back!" Alan cried at them laughing. He turned to wolf and smile. 'So I guess you're back.' he patted it head.

'Strange thing,' George said, giving the wolf something to eat as a reward. 'It comes out of no where.'

'Guess it some kind of a helper.' Alan said sheathing his sword. He will need to clean it for there were stains of blood.

'I wonder if she will follow us?' their answer was solved for the wolf slept with them in the cave. They couldn't help wondering why it chose to travel with them.

'Some sort of mystery.' Alan muttered and gave a wide yawn which almost cracks his mouth.

'Sleep tight lad. Tomorrow is another big day.' George said but Alan didn't answer for he already sleeps. George chuckled and sleeps comfortably.

End chapter 4

Yay finished. At last. It took me 2 days just to think of how to write this chapter. Well I hope you like it and REVIEW! You guys better review or I come over and choke your neck until your head pop out but then that will be the bad thing because you can't review then. Fine I won't choke you but I will have to hit you. (JKS) anyway plz do review. I just need to hear your comments and I go crazy if there no review for me. CRIES

I got to go. It's 10 o'clock and I will be in trouble if I keep on writing and threatening you.

Remember REVIEW! I love review so you better. I am watching you day and night just to see you review. - watching