What the hell was that? What does he mean? Toboe thought to himself. What was with this guy? He didn't have a smell to him? The others seemed irritated by its riddle. Toboe was just confused. He tried to think up an answer, but he was left with questions.

"What do you mean? I'm not lost...or little!" He scowled, trying to look menacing. This owl was creeping him out and he didn't like it one bit. The owl simply settled on a tree branch high above the pack and laughed.

"But your are little and young. Small and fragile like glass."

"Shut up!" snapped Toboe. The bird tilted its head, and to Toboe's horror, swooped down and aimed right for the pups head! Toboe yelped and fled back towards the pack. He tripped over a tree branch and slid right in front of Tsume. The owl simply flew back to his perch as if nothing had happened. Toboe got up quickly and looked at Tsume and the others, quite embarrassed.

"Creepy owl huh?" he chuckled a little too loudly and turned from the others, secretly wishing for a hole to open and swallow him up.

Hige stood to his feet, eying the owl. It was teasing Toboe horribly, but he still could not catch a scent of it.

"Creepy owl for sure," Hige said, showing his fangs, licking his chops. "It looks good enough to eat."

Hige jumped at the owl and it swooped out of the way. He followed the owl, biting at it a few times. It flung itself into the air, dodging Hige's teeth at every which way. The brown wolf was doing a great job at keeping up with the owl, even through the branches. Hey-he was hungry.

The owl landed on a branch. It pruned its wings delicately, looking down at Hige. A moment's pause--then a plop of white landed smack dab in the middle of Hige's head.

That kid was always scared of everything. How disturbing. As Toboe landed, the gray wolf followed the owl with straight precision. He didn't attack immediately. His hunger was harsh but he kept under control... at least for now. Annoyance piled up inside - this owl was frightening, haunting, the only creature to survive in this somber forest? Cheza was wilting...

"Damn thing!" Was all he muttered through his gritted teeth. He wouldn't want bird crap plopped onto his head either. The voice was so taunting. It's like the oukami were trapped in its lair, it it's torture. Under these hard circumstances, while he was injured, Tsume the gray wolf just wanted it simple. His ears twitch

now the gray wolf with clenched serrated fags glared directly at the owl. As if Tsume wished for the bird to say something else.

The owl tilted its head at Tsume. "How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?" He pulled one out of hammer space, licking it. "A-one, A-two, A-three--" He bit down hard. "A-three!" He flew over the group, showering Tootsie Pops down to the ground. "Eat, eat up, little oukami--candy is good for puppies, good!"

Shilaze tilted her head in wonder at the owl. The others all were following that thing... and Kiba's here with Cheza... Guess me and Meshawa get to stay and protect them. She thought with a sigh as she turned to Meshawa who was lying next to Cheza. Shilaze walked over and laid on the other side of Cheza keeping her safe as she watched over Kiba. "Meshawa..?" she asked as the other wolf stood "What's with the owl? He keeps talking in riddles, I hate riddles!" she grumbled. "He's... I don't know Short Snout. He's just there." Her stomach growled and she looked at the owl. "Damn I'm hungry."

Hige growled. He was fed up with this dumb owl with no plot line. He finally jumped at it, and wrapped his fangs around the legs. The owl got all pissed and flew off in another direction yelling "Baaaaaaaad doggggggg!"
This, obviously pissed Hige off. He went after the dumb owl, chasing it into the woods. The pointless and non-symbolic owl flew deeper into the woods, evading Hige.

Toboe watched as Hige bit the pointless owl, and it flew off into the woods. Hige gave chase to it. Toboe looked back at the others. "Ok then, I guess we move on into the woods." He got up and headed off in the direction Hige went.

Kiba let out a little moan, eyes opening slowly. He was stomach-down on the ground, and all he could see was the light blue material of Cheza's bodysuit. Once he was able to focus in on it, he worked on surveying his surroundings; he found himself back in the woods. He placed his paws down on the ground, pushing himself up--but his entire body felt like lead. He struggled to raise himself a few inches.

Shilaze stood as Toboe announced they were moving into the forest. Shilaze and Meshawa followed him but Shilaze stopped when she heard Kiba moan "Kiba...!" she ran to his side standing next to him helping him to steady himself. It was the least she could do after all he and his pack had done for her and her sister. "Are you ok..." of course he's not you idiot she thought to herself "...Is there I can do to help you?" sure she was smaller then the others but she could do anything that they could.

Kiba looked at Shilaze, who had pulled his arm around her shoulder to keep him upright. His gaze was silent and steady. "It's nothing to worry about," he replied softly. He felt sick to his stomach--he'd coughed it up. He knew it had to happen sooner or later, but we had been hoping he could do it in private; no such luck. Hopefully the others were dim enough to dismiss it--but what if they weren't? What would his excuse be when, inevitably, they asked?

Shilaze assisted Kiba the best she could not really believing him. She sighed and followed after the others helping Kiba along. What was that thing he coughed up earlier anyway... she wondered as she walked into the forest following the scent of the others.

Hige followed the owl deep into the woods. With every leap, he knew this was a stupid thing to do. He had to be quite a distance away from Kiba and the others. This was not a good thing.

The owl swooped around Hige's face a few times. He snapped his jaws at it more than he could stand, growing more furious by the moment. Finally, he caught the owl in his teeth, snapping its neck in a few places, and it went limp in his mouth.

Hige wasn't sure to be surprised about this, or worried.

Hige eyed the owl limp in his mouth. He was still curious as to why he didn't let it go, or why it didn't really struggle to get away. Of all the damn living things that weren't part of the pack that was in the woods, Hige had to murder it. Ugh.

He began to walk back in the direction he came from, the owl still in his mouth. He saw Toboe in the distance, who must have followed him; the others weren't far behind either. Hige decided to sit down for a moment to wait for the others to catch up to him.

Blue decided it was best to be quiet, if she didn't say anything maybe they wouldn't either. She didn't feel welcomed and trailed behind only viewing the strange events with no opinion. The young wolf or Hige would ask her something every now and then and she simply nodded.

What is going on? Why am I here? Why is this happening?

Toboe reached Hige first. The others were slower due to their injuries. Toboe watched Shilaze help Kiba along. He smiled to himself, admiring her ability to care. He walked up to Hige and saw the dead owl in his mouth. He looked at it hungrily, but tried to block it from his mind. "Well," he said "I guess he won't be doing anymore talking for a while." He smiled at the thought of this. He turned to the others as they arrived. The bird was small, not enough meat to satisfy anyone. Too bad.

Blue stayed behind the others. She looked a bit weary of the others, and he noticed she immediately took to Hige's side. Well, at least he has a girl now Toboe laughed to himself. He was still a little cautious about Blue, but something about her changed from when Toboe first met her in the alley with the old man. She seemed sadder. He sat a little closer to her, trying to make her feel not so alone. Toboe knew that feeling. It was the worst thing in the world. To be alone.

The second was the sluggish Tsume; so, Porky got the owl... he thought, looking at the poor owl in Hige's jaws. What a joker, what was the deal?

"Humph...I guess we can finally rest up without anymore annoyances." Save for the wounds that is. Near by the pup Toboe, and Hige, the gray wolf placed his back on another tree. His observing continued: Blue, Hige, Kiba with Shilaze, Toboe's low-toned brief laugh...humph. All he did was blink in boredom.

Shilaze helped Kiba over to where Tsume was settled, Meshawa not to far off either. She stopped and leaned on a tree as she held Kiba up noticing Hige had killed the owl well there went one problem... Now how to get out of this forest. She thought with a smile as she glanced around. "So, are we resting or what...? No offence but this forest is freaking me out..." she asked quietly as she wobbled a bit under the weight of Kiba.

Hige placed the owl at Kiba's feet. His mind continued to wonder what the others were thinking about him right now. Sure, he helped save Cheza and brought Kiba back (mostly) alive. But he could sense the tension in the woods as Blue came to his side. She was a stranger, even though he though he had met her before, but from where? Tsume continued to eye her, Toboe looked all bothered, and Kiba just looked really out of it.

He agreed with Shilaze, this place was creepy. They should get out of the woods. Hige knew the way out, it was north, about three or four miles, or so it seemed when he and Blue first walked in. But that way there's nothing but a meadow and that workhouse. The other direction, Hige guessed, was that city where they were attacked and all those guards who were looking for Cheza.

Hige nudged the owl, wondering if Kiba would take it. If not, maybe Tsume or Toboe, possibly the girls. For some reason, Hige didn't want to eat the owl.

Kiba looked silently down at the owl. Slowly he shook his head at Hige. Something seemed wrong about the bird--he wasn't sure what it is, but somehow he felt connected to it, like eating its flesh would curse him in an unidentifiable way.

Toboe nudged Cheza with his snout. She was getting weaker, and he was worried about her. Kiba worried him too. He was worse off than anyone had anticipated. Hige seemed uncomfortable about killing the owl, as if he would be cursed or something. Toboe couldn't blame him really. He watched as Hige offered it to Kiba, who would need food the most, but Kiba wouldn't eat it. Toboe wrinkled his nose, his hunger fading, overpowered by the urge to bury the thing.

Nobody seemed in the mood for talking, but Toboe couldn't stand the silence. It made the sound of his own blood sound like a roaring river. He stepped cautiously over to the last person he would have expected to talk to.

"So... err... Blue. Where is that old man you were hanging out with before?"

He realized his question gave away that he knew her from before. But too late, it was already out there. He tried to smile at her, at least to let her know he was trying to be friendly. At least then maybe she wouldn't feel the urge to rip his throat out the moment his back was turned. He eyed Tsume, watching for his reaction to the question.

Blue looked at the young wolf surprised and smiled, "Oh you mean pops. I'm not sure I wish I knew...we got...split up..."
They sat in silence for a long time, Blue became anxious; she wanted to be somewhere else anywhere else then these woods. She sat and stared at the flower maiden, to nervous to approach her she had the same pleasant scent as before but it was becoming weaker.

Shilaze looked down to the dead owl and quickly averted her gaze towards the others The thing is dead but at the same time it seems as if it never was alive... if that's possible she thought and shook her head to clear away the thought Nah, it's just my imagination
She turned her gaze to Toboe who was talking to Blue then back to Hige pleading him with her eyes wanting him or someone to lead them out of the forest and some where less dark, dead and creepy.

Hige cleared his throat, since no one else was moving. "Ok. We should get out of these woods. The woods in that direction is about four miles, and two in that direction." He nodded, looking at Kiba, as if he needed to make the final decision.

Blue was very pretty when she smiled. She was pretty friendly too! Toboe let some of the tension melt away. "Oh I am sorry." He hung his head a bit. He knew all too well the pain of losing someone dear to you. No one else seemed to want to talk...and finally Hige broke the silence.
Toboe was thankful for the suggestion. The sooner they got out and Cheza to sunlight, the better.

Cheza looked blearily at Hige. He was saying something about moving. She tried to stand, but her legs wouldn't support her. She sank down to a sitting position again. She looked towards Kiba. He was looking as weak as she was. She tried to reach out to him, but couldn't. She needed to get out of these woods. They were dead and cold. She needed sunlight. Moonlight would be better, but she knew the moon phases and a full moon was a long ways away.

Shilaze smiled at the mention of leaving the woods. They all needed rest and food especially Kiba and Cheza. She looked down to Cheza, she wanted to help her as well but already had Kiba leaning on her for support New question are we going to make it out of this place alive...? She shuddered at the thought. She turned back to the others "I think Cheza needs help..." she said quietly. Stating the obvious was what she did best, at lest it was in her opinion.

Humph, sitting around and yapping. Tsume shut his eyes and slowly bent his head over in slight... impatience, "Well...I'm able to move. The sooner we move, the sooner we can get out of here..." Then the gray wolf's eyelids lifted, sight set on Kiba and Shilaze. That kid, that white wolf, was something. Tsume's lips curled into a creepy slight smirk -- dragging the wolves all this way to find Paradise. The irony of this travel to "wherever great place" let the wolves suffer only crap, and this Flower Girl. Tsume turned to look at her, and then quickly away, "Humph" he breathed.
This was getting stranger everyday. This...'nonsense' fatigued his patience. Still, he kept silent.

Kiba nodded slowly. They needed to leave. He was aware that Cheza was growing weaker; there was no sunlight here. But he couldn't help her. He turned his head to look at her slightly, and then looked at Tsume. "Tsume." He had that tone to his voice, the one that said he was asking a favor. He knew the wolf would know what he was asking; they didn't get along very well most of the time, but when it was necessary, they knew the other like a book.

The injured gray wolf acknowledged with a still stare. His smirk faded and slacked while gazing this prideful white wolf. "Hmm." A brief low-noise grumble rose from Tsume's throat. Come to think of it, he was certainly a tough wolf. He rustled with this Kiba before and certainly he knew of Tsume's strength. Perhaps things would go faster of he did carry Kiba. I don't want to hear any crap from you when I do this...

"And... can she be managed fine?" Tsume inquired, motioning his gaze towards...Cheza.

Shilaze meet Tsume's eyes when he inquired about Cheza "I don't think she can... she looks week..." she looked over to her then to Kiba who was currently leaning on her no one else is in any condition to carry him... or are they? She thought to her self "If someone can help Cheza I think I can manage with Kiba" grate insult the leader of the pack while you're at it stupid! She mentally yelled as her cheeks turned to a pink color.

Kiba raised an eyebrow. He'd asked Tsume to carry Cheza, and yet he was looking at him skeptically, as if he'd just asked to be carried himself. Surely Tsume wouldn't do that, though...not if he didn't want to die. "I'm fine," Kiba insisted suddenly, pulling away from Shilaze. He stumbled a little, and then righted himself, standing hunched over and zombie-like.

Shilaze didn't want to press the issue with Kiba more then she already had though she knew he wasn't "fine". She sighed and nodded to him. She straightened her self up no longer leaning against the tree. She kept an eye on Kiba worried about him and his condition. She knew he was pushing himself trying to be strong even in his current state. The old pack leader use to do the same thing She thought with a smile.

Hige gave a warm smile to Shilaze, mentally thanking her for helping Kiba around for a bit. He also noticed the tone in Kiba's voice, when he said "Tsume." Kiba wanted something done but he didn't have to say much.

Hige side glanced Tsume's expression and stood to his feet. He walked to Cheza in his human image and lifted her into his arms. He turned to the others. "Come on, let's get out of here." He stopped first to nod to Blue, and began walking.

Kiba blinked at Hige, slowly. The job had got done, but normally Tsume would have gotten right to it. So then, what was Tsume...? Kiba turned to look at the gray wolf, which was...right on it...handling Kiba that is. The gray wolf grabbed poor injured Kiba from next to Shilaze and looked away.
Kiba, his hurt body submitted to Tsume's strength, was now slumped onto the gray wolf's shoulder. One arm was over his jacket.

Kiba's eyes widened. Why was Tsume carrying him? "Oi, Tsume! What are you--" He could see the tree where they'd been resting getting smaller as he was carried away. "Put me down, Tsume!" He tried not to whine like a pup. Why was Tsume carrying him? Kiba's eyes widened further.

Cheza wrapped her arms around Hige's neck. Her head rested on his shoulder. He was quite strong and very gentle. "This one apologizes," she said to him in a whisper. "This one would like to do more, but cannot."