~ * The Hunt and the Hunted * ~

Disclaimer: SM does not belong to me.

Chapter Four

He stood tall and grand, his hands in his pockets and his back to the dark forest. His eyes clouded over as he stared into the vast darkness that lay before him. He was still and motionless watching the stars from the clearing, his mind was troubled. Her voice he could hear repeating itself in his thoughts:

Nephlite...WE are the last of our kind, and your bonding with my daughter will be of great advantage to you. I choose you nephew, to take Emerald. She is reputed as one of the fairest women in both worlds. The world of Wolffiends and the world of men. There have been many suitors but you... You I choose to take her hand.

I have sent for her, she will arrive in the next few days. You understand the great importance in this bond marriage... The new moon is near.

Emerald. Nephlite shook his head, the name meant nothing to him. As much as he tried he could not visualise an image of the so called beauty, fair in the minds of many man and wolffiend. All he could see was the piercing gaze of a pair of forest green eyes, deep was her knowledge of the world hidden with secrets yet... yet there was an innocence in them, almost as if.... Nephlite's eyes widened, his lips curved in a small smile. He chuckled to himself quietly. "She's pure." He mused quietly to himself.

The hairs on his neck suddenly stood up on its end, his ears pricked as a single noise, faint as it was, reached his ears. He narrowed his eyes, scanning the immediate area when he saw a flicker of movement among the shadows a fair distance away. He snarled while he quickly paced after the poor fool that had ventured this deep into the forest.

He ran lightly making as little noise as possible keeping his ears strained, listening to any sudden movement. He stopped suddenly. The air around him felt hot and stuffy making it difficult to breathe. The trees seemed to loom over him. All was quiet... too quiet. Then he picked up on a muffled noise to his left. He headed that direction, a few minutes he came upon a hunched up figure. He walked towards it and saw to his dismay a wolffiend. He crouched by it and saw the tranquilizer dart at its upper chest. He studied the creatures face and fell grim. Catsy...

He spied a movement among the shadows. He bared his teeth, his long fangs fell half way down his chin. His eyes flickered silver, his long silvery hair flowed long past his shoulders, and his body slowly took shape fur sprouting from his arms and legs down his back. When his transformation was complete he growled fiercely. His great white body moved stealthily forward, his nose sniffed in the air and picked up a scent of mulberry. He followed it all the while glancing back and forth. When he lost the scent he walked around sniffing on the ground picking it up again some way down and soon picked up the chase. He growled in frustration when the chase had led him to a river and he lost the scent. He lapped at the cool water thinking: The Hunter. But something still puzzled him. Why not kill us...why only use tranquiliser darts, hunt us down and then leave us here, he can't just hunt us for sport...hmm. Questions raced through his mind, questions that needed answers. With that he walked away, his movements graceful, each paw step firm and confident.

* * *

Lita sat as still against the tree she was up, holding her breath watching as the beast slowly lapped at the river side before slowly but surely walking away deeper into the woods where the one she had shot was left to recover. It might have stirred by now for the dart only last for a half hour.

Her heart beat had increased in the few short minutes the great white beast had stood before her. She had felt the presence of  another being when she was checking the creature she shot and had fled to the safety of the trees. She saw an outline of a human figure and was coming out to warn whomever it was that it wasn't safe to wander the forest after dark but something held her back. Instinct told her to wait and watch and what she saw took her breath away. It had never occurred to her that the wolffiends had a human form. She needed to brush up on her knowledge about mythical creatures. She had slowly walked backwards a few metres before dashing through the woods to the nearest river bed she could find. Behind her she could here it chasing her, sniffing in the air for her scent. She got to the river and washed off the mulberry juice she applied just a couple hours before and clambered up the biggest tree she could find that offered as much shelter as it could and waited. Not long after the creature had found the river bed and had walked right under the bough where she was hiding. And there she stayed for longer than necessary for precaution in case it was still lurking about nearby, before climbing down carefully.

She followed the river upstream a couple hundred metres where it opened up to a small lake with a waterfall at the other end. The sound of water rushing eased her mind letting her relax. She stripped her garments and waded into the cool water of the lake. The cool feeling soothed her aching muscles. She dived under feeling the cool rush past her face before she threw her head back out of the waters surface and took a deep breath of air before quickly vanishing back into the unknown depths of the lake. She swam through the waterfall and sat on the edge of a cave hidden behind the rushing water of the falls. She had found it one day when she was only a child, she had gotten lost and found the lake. Not even Artemis knew about it. Artemis...there was something about the beast that was familiar, something that reminded her about Artemis. In her mind she watched the creature transform again. Its eyes which were dark at first shimmered with silvery flecks, its hair had turned to a brilliant white which reflected a silver colour from the light of the stars. Its body was covered in white fur within minutes of the transforming. She cast her eyes down, just before it had changed forms it had looked like a younger version of Artemis.

Lita soon felt the cold and she shivered shaking her thoughts back to the beast she had shot. She sighed, yet again a different one. She was beginning to doubt that she would ever find the creature that had slain her mother when she was only a child. She remembered the day like it was yesterday. Their game of hide and seek. The creature coming from the woods. Artemis shooting at it and scarring it. That was ten years ago and still she searched and every night's hunt was in vain. She got up and walked to her garments covering herself before the long trek back to the cottage. Her mind was too deep in thought that she had not noticed a pair of blue eyes watching her from a distance, hidden among the shadows of the trees. She had not seen how the corner of her eyes wrinkled as she smiled watching her disappear into the woods.

* * *

She closed the door quietly behind her still deep in thought. She did not want to speak to Artemis at the moment, not until she had learned more about the new creature she saw in the woods. She wasn't even sure if it was a wolffiend or not.

"Lita.." The voice jerked her back into reality. She looked up and saw Artemis standing leisurely in a corner his arms crossed, half hidden in the shadows. His silvery eyes seemed to glower. Lita used to cower when she was a child every time she saw him do that and right now he loomed over her, his silvery hair flowing down to his shoulders. "You should not be out this time of the month. The moon is nearly full."

Lita stuck her chin out stubbornly. "I know."

"You could have been killed. I know I have helped you train but you are still not ready." His voice was full of concern and he seemed anxious. Lately he had been fidgeting and he always worried when she was gone for more than she usually was.

"Not tonight Artemis please. I-" Lita hesitated thinking whether to tell him of what she saw or not and decided against it. "I'm tired. Goodnight." She walked past him to her bed and locked herself in.

Artemis had seen her hesitate. He knew she was hiding something. He wondered about her. Something was up. He walked to a window and looked out. He stared at the moon which was not yet full. Soon...

"Luna! Luna!" Artemis ran wildly not knowing which direction he was heading, his dark raven hair falling over his cerulean blue eyes. He followed her presence blindly which was getting weak. Oh no! "Luna!" He stumbled over a stone and fell sprawled over face first on the ground. He heard a small snickering behind him. He scrambled up quickly scanning the area for her, his eyes glaring. The darkness all around him seemed to swallow him up, the only light coming from the new moon high above his head. "Something troubling you Artemis?" A voice hissed from the shadows all around him.

"You better not have touched a hair on her head Beryl." He snarled, "Or by god I will kill you." A bitter laugh echoed around him, magnified by the still darkness which surrounded him. "You were a fool Artemis. You should have stayed by me. You should have been mine." Her voice grew filled with rage and jealousy. "I'm only saving you from yourself. She has bewitched you for you could not love a mere mortal. Join with me now Artemis, join with me and I will let her live. Save her by giving her up. Bond with me like we were destined to."

Artemis smirked at her words. "I will never bond with you. Even if I wanted to it's too late now."

"What are you talking about? It's not too late. The moon is still high."

"Yes, but I have already bonded in soul, mind and body with the woman I love. Nothing can change that now." Artemis snarled, his blue eyes glowed a silver colour. His hair turned to a brilliant white.

"Artemis, you are a fool." Beryl hissed at him. "Kill her." She ordered to someone behind him.

"Artemis turned around fast, "NO!" He ran towards a clearing where in the centre a woman stood embraced by a man. From a distance it looked like they were sharing a passionate moment in each others arms under the moon but Artemis's keen eyes had caught sight of two fangs digging deep into the groove of her neck, then the man's mouth covered the gap and sucked at her vein. "Malachite no..." He looked up, his silver eyes flickered with amusement, and his silver hair fell past his shoulders tangled with her dark raven hair. His fangs fell past his chin. Artemis's face went pale and he trembled at what he saw. Luna was hanging on his brothers arms, her wide blue eyes were wide, her face was drained of normal colour, her lips were a shade of blue. "NO!" He ran to her as she slid from the man's arms and caught her before she hit the ground. "Luna." He felt hot tears streak down his cheeks and fell on her half lidded eyes. He saw a small flicker in them, "Luna..." He said.

"Artemis...?" Luna whispered barely heard. "Artemis...I-" He felt her weaken in his arms. Tears were flowing down freely as he watched her slowly fade away. "I'm sorry I-"

Artemis hugged her closer to him, her lips brushed his ear, "I'm sorry I failed you...my love." With those last words she passed on. Artemis trembled and wept over her still body. He felt a strong tug at his heart as if it was broken. His brother looked down on him and smirked fading away into the darkness of the shadows. Beryl glared at the lover's jealousy brewing inside her coursing through her veins. Her shrill voice could be heard clearly above his weeping.

"You know the consequences of bonding with a mortal Artemis," she scowled. "I will let you live. Killing you now is not enough to heal my pain, you will live knowing it was your fault she died. You will live in pain for the rest of your life not being able to hold her, see her, touch her, only loving the memory of her. You will whither away into non-existence. Only then will you feel the pain you have inflicted on me."

Artemis turned his tear stained face upon her, "Beryl, with every breath I take it will be to hunt you down and kill you. You will never live to spread your spawn at the next new moon."

Her shrill laughter rang through the forest, shivers running down Artemis's spine. "We shall see, we shall see."

Artemis jerked up from the window sill where he must have fallen asleep. He felt his cheeks were wet. He looked out the window into the darkness, outside he could here the wind whistling through the eaves of the trees. Then he caught a glimpse of a shiny light among the trees. He blinked a few times and it was gone. He supposed his mind was playing tricks on him and he made his way slowly to his room. He could still here the wind whistling but this time it sounded like a soft whisper carried by the wind: "Good night...my love."

He stood still, his mind alert. But he could here nothing. He couldn't here the wind blowing anymore. Shaking his head he made his way to his bed not bothering to change out of his breeches he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

* * *

It was a few days later when Lita decided to take a visit to the public library at bloodstone village. The same village where Amy was found dead. Lita had gone through several books and dictionary's but had found very little information, nothing that she already didn't know.

"Hello, can I help you."

Lita looked up surprised. She didn't here her coming towards her. The girl looked about her age, slightly shorter with the longest honey blonde hair she had ever seen reaching her waist. Her cerulean blue eyes was round and innocent. Her brows were gently curved and her nose was small and sharp. She was dressed neatly in a blue simple dress with a red ribbon tying her long locks. She smiled at Lita nodding her head towards the table full of books. "It's looks like you might need some."

Lita blushed embarrassed casting her forest green eyes down at her feet. Her own brunette hair fell loosely down her side past her shoulders hastily brushed, her own garment looked old, and the green had faded into a pale colour. "Uhh...yes, I would appreciate your help thank you." Lita replied finally remembering her manners.

The girl in front of her smiled politely. She extended a hand, "Hi I'm Mina. My aunt owns this library so I help out when I can. If you tell me what you're looking for I think I can find it. I know where most of the books are since I categorized them myself."

Lita smiled back taking her hand. "Hi I'm Lita. Umm...hmm, this is going to be a little awkward. I'm looking for some information on mythical creatures."

"Any in particular we have several books on forest spirits, halflings, fairies..."

"I'm looking for books about wolffiends."

There was a small silence after Lita had said this. "Any particular reason." She said hesitating a little glancing sideways. Lita could have kicked herself for opening her mouth. "I'm just interested." She said casually, "and there is some history to my curiosity not to mention the girl being found dead so close to the village." Lita crossed her fingers hoping Mina would believe this.

Mina nodded her head though keeping silent her eyes had narrowed slightly. "This way." And she led Lita to a remote corner of the library and pointed to several books covered in dust. "People don't usually ask to read this kind of material." She said giving Lita a long sidelong glance. "I'll leave you to it."

"Mina." Mina stopped and turned to look at Lita, "thank you." She said quietly. Mina nodded her head then left.

Lita grabbed the first book she got in her hand and began reading taking down notes while she read. She found out things about the wolffiends she didn't know about and more. In one other book she found out something about a ring:

The rings of wolffiends inevitably brings power, but not always happiness and sometimes tragedy, if corrupted by greed.

Yet the pure rings of Wolfdietrich were symbols of a ring lord's circle of power and everlasting fame.

There was some text underneath but the words were not intelligible and could not be read for it had worn over the long years. Lita couldn't make any sense of it but she thought to make a mental note of it for later.

She returned all the books and sat on the edge of the bed, not moving boring a hole in the floor. So far she knew that the creatures in the dark forest were wolffiends. Brown were their fur and gold were their eyes. They ripped at a human mortal's neck sucking at their vein draining them of their energy. All this Lita had known. What she found out was that they could transform into a human form and walk amongst the humans. Lita shuddered at this. She could have talked to a wolffiend without knowing it. She could have shake hands with them, talked to them.

Lita also found out about the wolfdietrich. They were an older form of wolffiends. Their line was ancient. White were their fur and silver their eyes. Lita knew this was true. They also took on human forms and walked amongst the humans. What she found interesting was that they only stayed at their sanctuary at the heart of a place called crystal mountain They came out every fifty years to find their arranged bonding partner before the new moon to populate their kind before they fell extinct. Fifty years... fifty years... Lita then remembered a far off voice:

"Fifty years ago I was to be engaged with a certain woman, Beryl."

Lita got up. The doubt which grew on her mind was soon fixed. She went out and found Mina thanking her once more before leaving the library. She put on her cloak before reaching the door and in her haste she bumped into someone and fell sprawled on the ground. She groaned, "Not again." She muttered.

Lita heard a small grunt not far a head of her. She looked up and saw that he too was sprawled on the ground and was scowling at her. "Why don't you watch where you're going wench." He sneered, his hand lifting as if to hit her.