Disclaimer: I own it in my dreams. But when it comes to the real world...nuh uh.
Racing for Freedom
Chapter Three- A Past Story
"This is what you call shelter?" growled Tsume, golden eyes glittering angrily.
"It's the best we could find," defended Hige, sticking his tongue out childishly at the older wolf. "It's a freaking desert Tsume! Sand is going to follow us everywhere we go!"
The group had reached the dingo den about an hour after Hige and Kiba had come back. The large cave had been erected in a small cliff of red sandstone but that didn't mean the sand disappeared. Blowing on the winds it entered through the cave's mouth ever second, more grains of crushed rock being deposited on the wolves.
Towards the back of the cave Tsume sat with Toboe lying cradled in his arms, the silver wolf for some strange reason not wanting to place the injured boy on the dirty ground. Hige lounged against a sidewall while Kiba stood at the entrance and watched the sandstorm continue to make traveling impossible.
"Hey! Kiba! Shouldn't we get the runt some help?" asked Tsume gruffly, trying to hide the actual concern he felt for the pup. "I'm getting all bloody over here."
"Then why don't you put him on the floor?" questioned Hige sarcastically. "I'm pretty sure your leather pants wouldn't get bloody then."
Tsume opened his mouth to retort when Kiba placed a gentle hand on each wolf's shoulder. "Easy," he breathed. "We must all try to get along for the rest of the journey. At some point we may need the energy that you two use up bickering."
Hige had the good grace to look ashamed at his behavior where as Tsume merely smirked, the 'I don't care' expression easily read on his face. "How are we supposed to clean it?" wondered Hige, a puzzled frown on his round face. "We don't have water or any sort of bandage."
"His hand isn't the only problem," muttered Tsume. "Take a look at his back." Gently, he turned Toboe over, the fourteen year old giving a soft moan. Kiba rolled up Toboe's shirt, a gasp coming from both of the wolves.
"What happened?" demanded Kiba, sapphire eyes flashing. "Who did this to him?"
"Haven't a clue," said Tsume with a nonchalant shrug. "Found it while you two found us this 'shelter'. The runt asked me not to tell but I'm doing so anyway."
"This isn't good," murmured Kiba, fingers running lightly over the marks. "An infection could set in easily...he's been over exerting himself today and doesn't look like he's eaten a good meal in quite a while. At this rate he'll collapse and possibly die."
"So what do you suppose we do about it?" queried Tsume, self consciously punching himself for making it sound like he actually cared about the boy.
"Our best bet would be too pull the cactus thorn out first," mused Kiba to himself. "We can staunch the blood flow with part of his shirt, maybe the sleeve..." Tsume ripped the right sleeve off of the emerald shirt and handed it soundlessly to Kiba.
"Hold him steady," instructed Kiba to Tsume. "If he jolts he could tear more of his flesh while I'm pulling it out." Tsume nodded and Kiba took Toboe's left hand and held it by the wrist, his index finger and thumb firmly grasping the thorn.
Carefully as possible, Kiba began to ease it out of Toboe's hand, the congealed blood not wanting to let go and sticking to the needle. Toboe whimpered and tried to draw his hand back to him but Kiba's iron like grip wasn't relenting.
"Almost there Toboe," he comforted, most of the long thorn now free from the boy's hand. With a final tug the thorn came out, blood now gushing from the open wound. Kiba quickly took the cloth and tied it around Toboe's palm.
"Aren't we going to clean it?" asked Hige, his forehead wrinkled in puzzlement.
"We don't have the supplies necessary to do so," said Kiba, now applying pressure to the wound. "If we were to leave it open for too long sand would blow in and a infection could settle. It's best to just wrap it for now and fix it later."
"What about his back? His chest and stomach aren't so great either," said Tsume, once more the note of concern creeping into his voice as well as heart.
"There's nothing we can do for him at the moment," said Kiba, fingers fluttering across the knife cuts coating Toboe's front. "But I don't want Toboe walking at all until we get him medical help."
"We can take turns carrying him," grumbled Tsume, forcing a frown onto his tan face.
"That would be the best plan," agreed Kiba, his blue eyes shimmering. "We'll stay here until the storm blows over...then we'd best head for the nearest town. As much as we should avoid humans they are the ones with medical supplies."
"I'm glad we're stopping," moaned Hige, "I'm starving! We can probably snatch some food while we're there...where is the nearest town anyway Kiba?"
"I'm not sure," he responded softly, still squeezing Toboe's hand, "we'll find out when we get there."
"W-what's going on?" mumbled Toboe, his amber eyes opening but unfocused and glassy. "Where are we?"
"Take it easy runt," cautioned Hige, "just lie still." Toboe did so, snuggling against Tsume as his body felt as cold as ice and the gray wolf was a steady source of warmth.
"We're waiting out a sandstorm here," said Kiba, nodding towards the golden winds that blew past the entrance of the den, some of it sweeping inside. "We had to take the thorn out of your hand and you have a temporary bandage on it for the minute."
"Oh...okay," Toboe whispered, his voice weak and his bright eyes closed once more.
"Don't go to sleep runt," growled Tsume, shaking the boy in his arms roughly. "Damn it! Open your eyes!"
"You have to stay awake Toboe," said Kiba gently. "You've lost quite a bit of blood and still are...if you lose too much you could go into shock and then into a coma. It's best if you stay awake."
"But I'm tired," Toboe whined, his eyes cracked open a fraction of an inch. "I want to sleep."
"Sorry runt, but if Kiba says something it goes," chuckled Hige. "Why don't you tell us about yourself to keep awake?"
"I...I don't have anything to say," said Toboe defensively, his body suddenly rigid and his muscles tensed as if he were going to spring at any second. "What about all of you guys?" he asked, desperately trying to move the topic away from himself.
The three older wolves looked at each other, silently agreeing to get the answer later. "Well, I'm just your average street wolf," said Hige with a smile. "I grew up on the streets as a wolf pup. But about a month ago I left my hometown and traveled because something was drawing me. I think it was Chezza..."
"It was Chezza," clarified Kiba. "I grew up with an Indian who rescued me," he said, turning to look at Toboe. "He understood that I had a destiny to fulfill and I left him to find the flower maiden. It is said that she will lead all wolves to paradise...it was her scent that brought me to this town, but it no longer lingers here."
"I've been in this run down town my entire life," scoffed Tsume. "I was head of a gang that stole from the Nobles. Just recently my gang fled town and I joined up with Kiba and this loser," he said, jerking his head at Hige.
"Nani?" exclaimed Hige, red eyes wide. "I'm not a loser!"
"Really? I never would have guessed."
"Why you-" Hige lunged at Tsume but was yanked back by his collar by Kiba.
"Now isn't the time to be fighting with each other," he stated calmly. "There is no sense is wasting our energy in meaningless fights that we might need later. Besides, you're scaring Toboe."
Indeed, the wolf pup's eyes were large with fear, as Hige had lunged at him as well. "Please don't fight," he whispered, good hand gripping Tsume's jacket, "I don't like it when we fight."
Tsume and Hige both got the point and shut up instantly; the only sounds now the roaring of the wind as it rushed across the small opening. "So..." said Hige awkwardly. "Anyone else got anything to say to keep the runt awake?"
"You're the idiot of the group," snickered Tsume. "Why don't you think of a story to tell him?"
Hige bristled but a restraining hand on his shoulder from Kiba kept him from lashing out at the ex-gang leader. "I don't know any stories," he mumbled, a light blush tingeing his cheeks.
"What's paradise like?" asked Toboe softly, eyes gazing at Kiba.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a topic that was safe to talk about.
"I'm not really sure," admitted Kiba. "I suppose it would be a haven for all of us...perhaps flowers as far as they eye can see and fresh meat everywhere. We would be free to relax and enjoy life, no longer hunted by madmen. We would be free."
"That sounds nice," Toboe breathed, eyes closed as he imagined. "Can humans go there?" he asked. "Maybe Sarah will be there."
"Who's Sarah?" asked Hige.
"No one," Toboe said quickly, a sadness flickering in his eyes. "She's no one."
The three eldest wolves once more exchanged curious glances, knowing that whoever Sarah was she was obviously someone Toboe held close to his heart. "How much longer do you think this storm will last?" asked Tsume to fill the pause. "We should probably be leaving as soon as we can."
"Give or take a few hours," said Kiba. "We'll just have to wait here for a while. Just make sure you stay awake Toboe, okay? Toboe?" The pack leader tore his eyes away from the sands to look at the boy lying limp in Tsume's arms.
"Now we have problems," sighed Tsume, shaking Toboe and getting no reaction from the pup. "Now what do we do?"
"Damn wolf! Where the hell did he get too?" snarled Kevin, striding down the dark sidewalk, the streetlamps casting an eerie yellow glow over the pavement. The man was alone on the street, everyone else having gone home to their families long before.
His black hair whipped behind him in the strong winds that gusted down the deserted roads, his red polo shirt blowing up around him. A scowl was on his face, dark brown eyes glimmering angrily.
Kevin had left The Shop only to find a bit of the leash tied around the pole, his wolf and servant gone. "He shouldn't be too hard to find," Kevin mused, fingering the chain around his neck. "I'll go home, get a good night's rest and then go after the runt tomorrow."
The man arrived at his home to find the door thrown completely off of its hinges, bits of splintered wood everywhere. With a curse, he walked over it and into his house, anger rising once more.
Entering his bedroom the rage boiled over when he saw the state Toboe had left it in. His clothes were everywhere, drawers hanging open and shoes cast randomly about. But what caught Kevin's eye was the nightstand drawer opened partway.
Yanking the drawer out all the way his hands frantically dove through the knick-knacks. "DAMN IT ALL!" he yelled, throwing the drawer to the floor with a sickening crack.
"You'll pay for that runt," he whispered harshly, his voice thin with anger. "Believe me...when I get my hands on you, you will pay." Picking up a duffel bag from the closet, Kevin began to pile in some clothes and other things he might need.
Entering the bathroom, he tossed in his shaving kit and toothbrush along with some soap and shampoo. "This should be enough," he growled, zipping the bag back up.
Throwing the strap over his shoulder, Kevin left his house, a black trench coat now blowing around his lean frame. His hand jerked the chain off of his neck and he pressed his thumb against the small silver disk embedded on one of the larger links.
A small red light emitted from the disk, taking the shape of a small arrow pointing right. "Found you," Kevin hissed, starting in the direction indicated. "And you're not too far off either..."
Depending on the amount of distance between the trackers the arrow would be brighter or dull. In this case, it was quite bright, a soft shine in the oppressing darkness. "Looks like you headed for the desert on the edge of town," he murmured.
After walking a few blocks of town Kevin settled himself down underneath a large oak tree in the middle of one of the parks in the town. "I'll stay here for the night," he said, resting his head on his duffel bag, "and in the morning I'll get you runt."
A sadistic smile spread over his face, eyes narrowing in hate. He couldn't exactly explain what he felt for the wolf he'd found fourteen years ago. Kevin knew what wolves were; knew what they were capable of and of their value to some of the Nobles.
The night he'd killed Sarah he'd found the wolf pup, just a newborn then. He'd known about wolves all of his life. When he had been six years old several wolves had attacked his town.
He'd seen them for what they were. One large black one had paused its feasting on its kill, the red eyes meeting Kevin's brown. In that instant he knew the dog was no dog. It had opened its mouth, fangs dripping with bright red blood from the dead woman beneath it. The woman who had once been Kevin's mother.
The small boy had been extremely lucky the wolf hadn't killed him as well. Just as he had been about to lunge some of the police of the town had come and stunned the dog. Of course it had been put to death for its crimes and Kevin had been sent to live with his aunt in another city.
Every night he'd have nightmares about the black wolf, it's demonic crimson eyes seeming to bore holes into him. At fifteen he'd found a book titled The Book of the Moon. It was there his suspicions were confirmed: wolves did live.
For the next several years he went around the world gathering information about the said extinct species, which is when he'd met Sarah. The young woman had run into Kevin on the street and it had been love at first sight.
The man had dropped his obsession with the wolves, no longer double glancing at any supposed human when he detected too agile of movements or secrecy the figure outwardly displayed. Sarah had become the sole focus of his life.
For two years they had courted, both content with their newfound love. That was until one fateful night.
Kevin had taken a walk by himself in the city at night, his small gun safely tucked inside his coat pocket. One could never be too cautious in such a city known widely for its gangs and violence.
A shadow had darted in front of him, a lean young man around his own age. He'd had dark, tan skin and midnight black hair cut short behind his ears. Silver eyes had pierced into Kevin's soul as this stranger paused to study him.
Something had registered in Kevin's mind as the figure seemed to almost vanish into the blackness. His gun had been removed before he could even register what his hands were doing and a single bullet had been fired.
The bit of metal caught the man deep in his back and he stumbled forward two steps before falling to his knees. A woman's scream sounded in the night and Kevin had turned to see his beloved Sarah standing behind him, having witnessed the entire thing. Before he could say anything she'd fled, her shoes clapping loudly against the cement pavement.
Kevin had slowly made his way to the still figure and knelt down next to him, gun still out and pointing.
"You...bastard," the man had muttered weakly, eyes burning with hatred. And before Kevin's eyes the tanned man had turned into a dark golden colored wolf, blood still pouring from the wound although the chest no longer moved. He had done it...he had killed a wolf.
A thrill went through his veins, an icy tingle laced with warmth running up and down his spine. He now held the power. No longer did he need to fear wolves, they were weak animals for him to dispose of.
He'd gone to Sarah's house only to find it locked and dark. Kevin remembered that Sarah sometimes went to her parents' house at night and decided to pay them a visit. What he found there wasn't a welcoming committee.
Sarah's dad firmly refused him to see his daughter; his wife calling the police and telling them a murder was at their house. Kevin had wasted no time...he needed to get rid of the old man and his woman. Before Sarah's father even had a chance to shout a warning he'd slumped to the ground, a bullet embedded deep in his head.
Kevin had stalked into the house, blood from the elderly man splattered over his coat. Sarah's mother turned from the phone when she heard the floorboards creak and a short scream had escaped her throat before she too died by the man's hand.
"Sarah? Where are you?" he called, honey sweet voice wafting through the house. "I won't hurt you angel, you know that."
He'd walked through a door into the living room when a large book had slammed down on top of his head, dazing him but not knocking him out. "What's wrong angel?" he asked, leveling the gun at his girlfriend.
"You killed them!" she gasped, eyes wide with fright. "My parents and that man on the street! You killed them Kevin!"
"Do you want to die too, Sarah?" he asked, now circling with the gun still pointing at the young woman.
"Put the gun down," she responded, voice wavering and tears pouring silently down her face, "put it down Kevin."
"Will you marry me?" he asked suddenly, stopping his movement. "Will you marry me Sarah?"
"What?" she breathed, eyes widening. A sudden look of resolve came over her fair features, the sense of fear disappearing to be replaced with determination. "Never," she spat, copper curls bobbing about her face, "the answer is no Kevin! NO!"
"Then you'll die," he snarled, cocking the gun. "Bye angel." The gun sounded off, Sarah raising the book she'd been holding as a shield. The small bit of metal dove into the many pages, never going out the back cover.
At the same second the woman collapsed from the impact, police officers stormed the house, taking the manically laughing man with them. He managed to escape the officers and took to the life of a common thief until he was eventually caught and placed in jail, various accounts of murder and robbery.
"And then I escaped," Kevin said softly, a satisfied smile on his face, the teeth glinting brightly amongst the gloom. "After almost three years I got out of that damn, no-good prison and out here where I found my own wolf."
The only reason Toboe's life was spared was because of his newness to the world. He was so young he hadn't yet developed instincts to kill or the teeth to maim. He was a small puppy, almost harmless.
Kevin had seen that in the pup and brought him home, planning to raise him to become a servant, one who would always obey his master and do as he was told. And the result was almost perfect. The boy was broken, his spirit in pieces from the constant abuse he received each day. But yet he still had some heart after attempting to run away once and occasionally disobeying.
Kevin settled down to sleep, eyes closing tiredly, but not before he spoke one last line to the night, the words chilling to the very core. "I'm coming for you runt...ready or not here I come."
Author's Notes:
Fyi, before I say anything else I'd like to say I've started school and have a ton of homework! Being in honor classes can be a drag sometimes. T.T So, updates may take a while and thank you very much for your patience as you wait for the next chapter.
Oh, and something to apologize for. Last chapter I used the character Hiei from Yu Yu Hakusho twice in the chapter. Oops! To clear anything up, it's Toboe I mean when I'm talking about the tracker and when Hige claps Toboe on the back I meant Hige! Sorry for any confusion this might have caused!
I have a question for all of those who watch Wolf's Rain on Cartoonnetwork. Does the series finish or do you have to buy the last DVD? And is it true the last few episodes are only in Japanese? Just curious.
I hope none of you were too bored by that part with Kevin...I thought we all needed to go back to see what happened to him in his life. It kind of reminds you of Quent save the fact that wolves actually did murder Kevin's mom.
I'd like to also thank all of you for your wonderful support for this fic! n.n I luv getting your feedback so please send it in! Even the smallest entry is appreciated greatly!
Reviewer's Comments:
LishaChan No, we probably won't meet Leara again. I put her in to show a present moment with Toboe when someone was nice to him. She was also the one who really made him up his determination to get free so she had a small part there! n.n Of course Kevin is going to come after him! lol
Bily's Shadow Thank you! n.n So who's your fave character? Mine's easily Toboe followed by Tsume but Blue is so kewl too!
Kitsune Foxfire I actually feel a little bad for Kevin now...darn it, I shouldn't give my bad guys such a sad past....it always makes you feel for them. Or at least me. lol Well, I guess I did the whole pack! I had to bring Tsume in and I've recently got a new obsession for Hige! He is so kawaii without the collar! Update your fic soon too! I wanna find out what happens now that they've gotten out! lol, update when you can, I'll be waiting!
Kawaii Ed
Toboe: HELP ME! I DON'T WANNA GO IN THE CLOSET! is thrown in LET ME OUT!
lol, poor Toboe. But if you hadn't thrown him in yours he would have been living in mine! lol Btw, who else is in your closet?
Karasu Sage Thanx! n.n Do you read/watch Yu Yu Hakusho? Or is your name referring to a different Karasu? I luv Hiei if you do! lol I personally liked Karasu better with black hair...the blond was kinda freaky. lol, so was his obession with Kurama!
Katie Here's more! Hope you liked it!
Black Panther Wolf That'd be kewl, I'll keep it in mind. But it might be a few towns later cuz Kevin is pretty far behind! O.o But I like the idea, thanks! n.n And I luv your username! Panthers, koalas, wolves, and elephants are the best animals!!
Kaiya-Chan I like Tsume better that way too! I personally think he sees Gil (is that how you spell it) in Toboe. I mean, he accidently killed Gil by not pulling him to safetly and then Toboe fell into the same situation but he did save him. So I think he's sort of nice to Toboe (at times) because he doesn't want to fail Toboe like he did Gil. That's my theory at least.
sisko66002Hope to see you around then! What fic are you writing now?
Blue Demon I'm glad you do! Yep, I think meeting the rest of the gang made more people feel like it was closer to the Wolf's Rain storyline, don't you? I mean, it's still kinda Au-ish, but it has more of the show's feel now!n.n
Yume no Anime Now how can I say no to the puppy-Toboe eyes? lol, I luv his eyes! His and Tsume's are the best! The amber just really seems to fit Toboe perfectly! I like to think Toboe of the 'Voice of Innocence' of the group cuz he's so young and unaware of real horrors in the world. Hope to see you again!
Jazz7 No problem! Unlike some authors who only put popular reviewers on their lists I put everyone on, whether they're a well known name or not. I think I should respond to all of you since you all took the time to talk to me! n.n Beyond awesome! Yay!!
NightShadow131 lol, it is funny! Shows you I'm thinking of my little fire demon in a Wolf's Rain fic...kinda scary. What if I'd started replacing everyone's names? O.o Nope, unfortunately the cacutus did not pierce the tracking device, it's in the wrong hand. T.T Yep, guess it is a good think I like long reviews! lol I'm glad I portrayed Tsume oki, I have to agree. He's have to be pretty heartless to not feel a tad for poor Toboe! Ja ne!
Lara Well, I'd have to say Kevin wasn't very happy at all! lol, he kinda seems like a madman. It's too bad it took Kevin the entire day to realize Toboe was gone! If he'd only gone out and checked on him earlier...
SS2 Megami-sama Arigatou for the explanation! Mmmm, Usher! I want Linkin Park! lol, I have suddenly found this huge obsession with their music! I used to think they were a stupid rap group but I've learned differently. In fact, I'm listening to Breaking the Habit right now!
Pietro I e-mailed you but never got a response...did you get my message? If you didn't, here goes. I luv Yugioh! Seto is my fave character of all time but Malik is pretty close behind! All the wolves do die but they are all ressurected after Chezza dies! n.n
BrittneyAnna lol, I know I know! I didn't even realize until you and Nightshadow told me! Guess my brain is a little focused on Black Tears, huh? lol I was grossed out with the meat part! and the blood! How could she do a thing like that!? Do you get what's going on with the '23' thing? that old wolf that died made it sound like the collared wolves were drawn to Jagara's Keep so she could find the white wolf aka Kiba. Is that right or did I totally mess it up?
coffeentoffee They're all going to help him but I probably will focus more on Tsume since I'm trying to work out a brother/brother or father/son relationship. n.n
Satanira ...I almost feel bad for the poor bishies...but then again...-glomps Toboe- maybe not. And no Heero, it isn't nice to talk to Satanira like that! And cleany is a word! I think...lol And annoying all of you guys is fun! Tsume, you get so much cuter when you're angry! lol Talk to y'all later! lol
HigesLittleProblem Thanx! n.n Sorry the update took so long! Here's the chapter! And cute username btw! n.n
Toboe's pup A little? lol, Tsume probably kill them for hurting his 'friend' and I don't think Kiba or Hige would like it much either. Watch out Kevin, the wolves are coming for you! lol
fenrir722 Here's more! Hope you enjoyed it!
AkimaDM Thank you! n.n Does the DM in your name stand for anything? I'm naturally curious, a rather bad habit! lol