Disclaimer: I don't own Wolf's Rain, however, the plot is mine. Though, Blue and Hige's romance concept is Wolf's Rain's as well. Heh.

Author's Note: Well, I got a head start on this last night when I was in one of my 'I'm depressed and morbid so I'm gonna type about it' moods. I really wasn't planning to even involve a serious part about Toboe because it's really about Blue and Hige, but I guess things happen, and that was a thing that happened. Whether or not there will be a tragedy that involves death or just a loss of confidence is still under debate, but I guess it will be determined by what I throw on paper. Heh. Aside from that, enjoy!

Chapter One: Death Lives On

At the calling of his name Hige turned around, oak colored eyes that displayed nothing other than having previously been in deep thought focused completely on the one that he had grown to know so well. The dog that really wasn't a dog was lessening the gap between them, a look of urgency to her features, and due to that he stopped, feet planted firmly upon the eroding earth. His hands, which were an illusion that resembled ones of humans, had been thrust into his sweatshirt pocket and moved uneasily. Fingers were latched together so that a war was fought, both hands pushing one another back and forth over the victory line so that there was no successor of the raging battle.

Tilting his head in a questionable manner, it was then his raspy voice was heard. Just as Blue approached his side. "What is it?"

"Nothing, you were just walking too fast," she said in a huff, eyeing the male before her playfully while stuffing her delicate hands into the pockets of her navy blue jacket. It appeared the brown wolf was not the only one who chose to have his hands hidden from view.

Snorting lightly, he motioned with his head for them to continue to move, for Tsume, Kiba or Cheza weren't coming to a halt in the near future. Especially Kiba. "Yeah," he continued, a somewhat haughty tone to his words, "well, I'm not the only one walking too fast. I'm just keeping up with the others."

"Yeah, whatever," she replied, obviously continuing the stream of short answers. She wasn't one of many words, especially when she had been with Pops, and never before had she conversed with her kin, so now that she had the chance, it was almost...awkward? It was hard to explain due to the fact there was a plethora of emotions of which she still didn't understand.

Pausing a moment and letting silence envelope her, she then gathered enough courage to begin the conversation she had been waiting to bring up for what felt like ages. "Hey, Hige?"

"Hmmm?"

"You..." she waited another moment, trying to quickly rephrase her thoughts. They had all slipped from her grasp, just because she was nervous. Great. "You aren't half bad."

Turning his visage so that it was abreast to Blue's, a quizzical glance could be noted. "Is that a compliment?" He asked playfully, already able to detect the hidden emotion embedded within the female's words. His hunch had been correct. She did share the same feelings for him that he did for her. Just not as openly.

"What do you think?"

"I don't know what to think."

"Yeah you do, jerk."

"Hey!" He grumbled, nudging the jet wolf in the arm, well, the arm in the 'form' of a human. "What kind of blow is that? I thought you were trying to get a point across. You can't resist me," Hige said with a smug grin, holding himself in a proud pose.

A light smile dawned upon her sensuous lips, while her pale face contracted a rose color with the motion. The brute did understand; no matter how moronic he acted. "Do you have to put it that blatantly?"

Snickering, the male stopped and was surprised to note that Blue did as well. Finding this was probably one of the only moments they would have alone, he released a hand from its confinement, placing it upon the half-breed's cheek and leaned forward, attempting to plant an affectionate kiss upon his beloved. That was, until snickers could be heard in the background. How could he have forgotten? Toboe was always lagging behind and now they had given him time to catch up. Damn him!

"Runt! What the hell?" He growled, spinning around and facing the young culprit. Sometimes that little whelp could be extremely annoying. "How much of this did you hear?"

"Most of it, and I saw enough too," he replied with a giggle, amber eyes dancing with childish amusement. Though, within the course of a few moments, a serious look took control. "It's not like it's a problem you two are in love."

"That's not the point!"

"Then what is?"

"You won't understand," Hige snorted, but thankfully he was calmed by a gentle look from Blue. With most of his rage settled, he emitted a sigh and continued to walk, gaze fixed upon his shoes. "C'mon, kid, let's go."

From the front of the crudely meshed pack, the alabaster and ashen hued wolves shared a confused look at the shouts from behind. However, Kiba was the first to speak. "What was that about?" It was known Hige, Blue and Toboe were involved, but about what was the unknown variable.

"Like I know. Toboe is probably holding them up," Tsume replied, the same uncaring look crossing his masculine features as he lightly shook his head. This entire search for a Paradise that probably didn't exist was a nosebleed, and having to deal with the pups of the pack just made things worse.

Running a hand, that was almost completely covered by his jacket, through jet hair, a questionable grunt could be detected. "I'm not so sure, but I guess we'll find out later." There were no further words spared between the elders of the pack or at least until the flower spoke.

"This one wants to know why you worry about them so," questioned Cheza, limber legs rotating her in a circular pattern upon the newly fallen snow, yet she still managed to propel herself forward. A smile was upon her face as she did this for there was nothing to fear, all was wonderful. She was with wolves. She was with Kiba.

Another onslaught of confusion graced the pack leader's features as he looked back to the Flower Maiden who had continued one of her little dances. It pleased him, no matter how simple it was. Her happiness brought him a sense of his own, and thanks to her, they could still continue their search for Paradise. "Because they're with us and we should look after them."

Shaking a head of lavender hair, the smile disappeared for the moment being as she tried to convey her query in a different manner. That was not what she meant. "No, this one means, why do you worry? They are not hurt and you do not share everything with them."

Understanding what the female had presented in order to gather the correct information, Kiba gave an absentminded nod. "I guess we shouldn't, should we? Let them be, you're saying."

"She has more sense than you, Kiba," snickered Tsume with a haughty look, glancing at Cheza and then back at his brethren, though slight malice could be detected. Sometimes that wolf was too easily interested for his own good. He always wanted to make sure the pack didn't fall apart, but didn't he realize they were all separate? Each wanted to reach a far different Paradise, yet they all desired the guidance of the lunar flowers. It just so happened they met up, and now they leeched off of one another. It seemed for the worst.

"Everything just seems pointless, completely morbid. Why? Why to everything? I could go on for hours just saying why. And if that's the case, then there's nothing to live for, right? Everything will go downhill, won't it?" A pause. "What is death like? I've always wondered that." A sigh could be heard, as the male continued, chin cupped within his child-like hands. "Sometimes I just think its nothingness. Just...nothing. I think that sounds nice. What do you think, Cheza?"

The Flower Maiden seemed lost as lavender eyes gazed at the ground, as if she were more than contemplating Toboe's words. "This one thinks, something is wrong. Toboe is never like this."

The wolf's 'human' face was turned away, amber eyes focused upon the ground of the cave they had found themselves settling down in for the night. He was lucky enough to find himself watching over Cheza with Tsume, while Kiba, Hige and Blue hunted. The gray wolf never listened into his conversations for he was too busy musing over his own problems, so that left him free to talk with the Flower Maiden, but unfortunately she was only confirming the gut wrenching conclusions he had come to. There was something wrong. Something wrong with him.

Placing a gentle hand upon the young wolf's head, crimson eyes held a certain amount of concern and love in them. Not the same as they held for Kiba, but compassion and care all the same. "Toboe, are you...alright?"

As he made sure his spell dissipated, Toboe gave no further words, and only curled himself into a tight ball to conserve what little warmth he had. He was in a state of uncertainty, and he just wanted to be left alone. To do nothing. It was then Cheza sang her song, the softest it had ever been, just for the ears of the Runt.