Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Wolf's Rain, but I also don't own Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.
Author's Note: Let's see now, this was a very, how should I put it...dramatic chapter? I've taken your words into consideration Bammi and I tried my best not to rush this. Though, again, I'm blind to fastforwardness. Such a terrible fault. Anywho, I warn you all there is one part in here some of you may not like. Probably many of you won't like, but don't worry, do you really think I would end everything like this? -blinks-
Comments: I confused myself at first, but for reference, the itallics are the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody. Not thoughts or anything else besides a song.
Chapter Three: I've Just Killed Him
Is this the real life-
Is this just fantasy-
Caught in a landslide-
No escape from reality-
Another blizzard had struck the desolate land. All was a swirling mass of...snow, visibility was almost none, and the wolves had already ventured miles from the cave they had spent the night in. Hige had pleaded that they stay in the previous town they scampered through, but Kiba being headstrong and not as familiar with his weather instincts, urged them to continue their epic pilgrimage. However, now they were all paying for it, especially the Runt, and the brown wolf that had cast his spell of illusion fiddled with the stolen gun in his sweatshirt pocket.
He forced himself to slow his pace to keep in stride with Toboe and he noticed Blue did as well, but it was obvious both were worried sick over the pup's well-being, almost too obvious. They tried to make it seem like the winds were keeping them back, though that plan failed when the rust wolf began to cough up blood and wince in agony at the internal pain. Both elder wolves rushed to his side, supporting his weight and nudging him with care. Unfortunately they were pushed away, he wanted nothing with their help. He could take care of himself, they all knew that's what he wanted to prove. Yet, this wasn't the time to do so. He had an internal infection of some sort or worse yet, a disease.
Eyes desperately watched Toboe's every action, every move of his fingers to clutch at his shirt, which apparently was constricting his breathing. If he was having that much trouble, misery with every breath, then why did he keep pushing himself? Everyone would halt, rest for as long as he needed, but still he refused. "Toboe, do you need to stop, we can you know," Hige offered, though there was more of a demanding tone hidden beneath his words. He then gave a nod for Blue to tell Kiba to stop the group's movements, they could wait at least a few minutes.
Too late, my time has come,
Sends shivers down my spine-
Body's aching all the time,
"Drop dead!" He growled suddenly, amber eyes blazing with rebellion at the wolf's caring pleas. Didn't Hige understand? He could make it, he didn't want to cease everyone's journey to Paradise, just because of his looming death. Kiba had never given up. Why should he? It never occurred to him that the white wolf's predicaments were far less life threatening than his own.
Goodbye everybody-I've got to go-
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth-
Turning his head away, he caught notice of the watchful eyes of Tsume for he too had overheard the conversation. The male stood tall in all his grandeur, arms crossed and brow furrowed as he took note of the events unfolding. The young one wasn't himself, he wasn't cheerful, he wasn't encouraging. This was a far different side than ever witnessed before, it was almost as if he wanted nothing more than his death. As if he rather be taken now than live through the hellhole they all continued to drift within. They were merely going through the motions, but Toboe, he now saw what there was. Nothing. But this nothing was not the nothing he longed for after life.
Look up to the skies and see-
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy-
Returning his gaze to the whelp's pale features, a sigh was released as he trudged through the ankle high snow, and reached the other's feet. He was staring back defiantly at him, as if the kid was about to be beaten or something of the sort. That wasn't even close to what Hige had in mind. "C'mon Toboe, just take a break. Please."
"No."
"Why? You're damned if you don't."
"Says you. I'm fine."
"No you're not!"
"Then kill me."
"W-wha?"
Anyway the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me,
To me
"You heard me. Kill me." Toboe growled, feminine features appeared more masculine than ever before. His fist were clenched, eyes held emotions the chestnut wolf couldn't quite figure out. Was it that they weren't earthly, as if the young brute had already begun to crossover? He didn't care, he knew from the scent of metal that his 'brother' held a weapon in his pocket. Just end his existence if he was holding them up, if he was the cause. They had no need for him all this time, anyway. Why was now different?"
Shaking his head vigorously, oak hued eyes glared back viciously, though a tentative hand still remained on the handgun. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Kill me already! Please, Hige, it's all I ask," he cried, the voice of the child that always comforted him was emitted once more. It reached to him, pulled the strings of his arm, his hand, the hand that was attached to the handle of the weapon. It continued to tug at him, evacuate the killing device from its cell and point it at the heart of the 'boy'. The kid knew he was manipulative, he knew what he was asking would be answered and returned. It was his final want, one that could be achieved.
Shutting the lids of his eyes as sour tears stung them and shielding them from a sight he didn't want to witness, 'hands' pulled the trigger that set off the gunfire, and released the panged cry of "Toboe!". Though, as Hige managed to focus his vision, there were two pools of blood, not one. Toboe lay upon the frigid ground, while Tsume bared his fangs in his true appearance. His shoulder had been grazed, but it hadn't prevented the bullet from entering the Runt's body. Where it was deflected to was unknown, though it was still figured he had been killed. Killed by his friend the betrayer once more.
Mama, just killed a man,
Put a gun against his head,
Pulled my trigger, now he's dead,
"You idiot, you killed him! You listened to him!"
"But he told me to!"
"You trusted the words of a pup? How freakin' stupid are you, bastard?"
Eyes wide with fear as he came to the realization of his actions, the gun was dropped creating an indent in the newly fallen flakes. Within moments it too had begun to melt into the ground, never to be found again, buried with Toboe to the grave. "I-I..."
"You'll die with him!" Tsume barked, bodice projected forward in a lunge for Hige's throat or at least until the feminine yell could be heard. One of pure fear.
Mama, life had just begun,
But now I've gone and thrown it all away-
"Tsume, don't!"
Of course, it was far too late to stop his motions for he was already airborne, however where he latched his bloody hold could be altered. Though, the anger still burning within and his lust for Hige's blood strong, he bit into the fellow wolf's chest creating a gaping hole, one that spewed blood almost immediately. It was a dead hit, and the gray wolf walked away with blood smeared upon his maw. The word 'bastard' could be faintly heard as it was mentioned from the male that departed to where Cheza and Kiba had stopped. Surely they were on their way over.
Kneeling at his side, warm droplets staining her goddess like face, Blue situated her left arm behind her beloved's head and the opposite across his torso. She brought him closer, not even able to utter a single word for her heart was split in two, and buried her head next to his own. He was a murderer and a possible murdered. He was loyal yet a betrayer. He was everything, but he was nothing. What had he done? What had Tsume done? It was all a mess, all a blur and it tore her apart and only caused her to shake uncontrollably. At least until the Flower Maiden placed her hand upon her shoulder, melancholy eyes that were the same hue as the blood upon the ground focused upon her deep blue ones. There were no words that needed to be shared. All had been spoken through fluids shed and possible deaths endured.
He stood there, mouth partially gaping at the sight. He couldn't fall apart now, not when the broken pack needed him most. This was the worst he had ever thought possible. He should have known Tsume would be ruthless at the prospect of Toboe's death, and the fact that Hige had been the one to pull the trigger...that set him off much like the gun. This entire situation was enough to make him commit his own suicide, but Paradise.... If Paradise was as lovely as all made it out to be, then there would be no need to die, unless of course, death was as the rust wolf has spoken of it. Nothingness. Doesn't that sound nice?
I don't want to die,
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all-
Carry on, carry on, as if nothing really matters
((Terrible, no? I was so ticked today that I guess all my angst trickled down into my work. Don't worry guys, Toboe and Hige are my favorites too. Do you really think I'd let them fall into their demise like this? Sheesh, you guys are fussy. Fussy, fussy, fussy gooses.))