Disclaimer : I am making no money from this nor any of my other fics. Blaze and Raven belong to Lamby, Golan belongs to Star, Ilehana Xavier (Vixen) and Ori belong to me. All other original characters are combined creations of Star and myself and should not be used without permission.

A/N: Having written this chapter, I feel so cruel. Poor li'l cute things! Also, you might want to read "Guardians of Destiny" if this chapter confuses you. I hadn't meant to get into the legends again, but I have my reasons!

Chapter Three - Somewhere In New York State

Sleep takes me.

I have run without stopping for an unknown number of days. I know not how many times the moon has risen and set, nor where I am, only that I must put as much distance between myself and the X-Men as possible. I have forced myself beyond the point of exhaustion, my quivering limbs simply will not carry my body any further. I have neither eaten nor drunk, my mind is so clouded that I stumbled without warning as I ran. More than once I have tumbled nose over tail down banks, tripped over my own paws to crash my jaw upon the bare earth, I have bled from scrapes and grazes, bruised parts of me I wasn't even sure I had, but not a bone in my body can bring me to care. I have been a fool, and for that I deserve every hurt a thousand fold.

Sleep takes me where I have stumbled to the ground again, leaving me lying in the open and vulnerable to attack. I do not care. If it pleases the Ancients that I should die here, then die I will. I would welcome that sweet oblivion that would carry me from the pain I feel now. Because it is not just my body that aches with wounds both new and old, my heart feels more torn in two now than the day I became a wolf. On that day everything seemed right, as if it were meant to be, but in that moment when our eyes met, Logan and I shared more than words or even telepathy could have offered. I love him still, I never stopped loving him, and I know he feels the same………

I do not dream that night. I sleep, a deep, dark sleep that soothes my hurts and aching head. My mind, accepting the quiescence that my exhaustion brings, does not dwell on what has or what might have been. I am grateful for this, and when I wake I am more refreshed than after any sleep of late. I am also hungry, hungry not just for food but for the hunt, a desire I have not felt in a long time. There is an enormous comfort in taking the time to track my prey, in the chase, in the feast afterward. A hare is a small meal, but being alone I cannot bring down anything larger. The leverets provide dessert, though there is little meat on their tiny bodies. I have never felt a kinship that some humans feel with these tiny furry beings - but then I was a hunter from the moment I was born, a predator through and through. And though the meal is small, I am sated, at least for the moment.

I find a secluded spot and settle to sleep again. I must rest, I know that now. I have put enough distance between myself and my loved ones for the time being. They will not find me here, wherever that may be. My thoughts and feelings are not so easily left behind. I wonder what has happened to them. Have the Ancients revoked our bargain because of a moments lack of thought? I suppose that I will never know. I can never go back. It is the only sure way to know that I will not make the same mistake again. I can never go back.

Eventually, I fall into some form of trance that is not quite sleep but I am no longer awake. Charles Xavier greets me - my father, my rock, my guide, Witness to the return of the Guardians of Destiny - his arms encasing my wolf body in a warm and gentle embrace. As I look up into his eyes, so like my own, tears glitter and fall on both sides. Old hurts are remembered and forgotten in those moments, past dreams revived, we cry together for the love, the hurts, the pride that we shared for one another, for the love lost when my mother - his wife - left our world to wait for us in whatever we go to when we die.

#Is this it?# I ask him softly, the tears falling still. #Is this death? Is this what I have feared for so long?# For I am no longer afraid. Death, with the conflict and pain within me, would be but a release. What is there to fear in that?

#No, my daughter.# He smiles as he reassures me, his hand stroking my ears flat against my neck. #You are not destined to die yet.#

Somehow I am disappointed, but then the Ancients must wish to punish me for my foolishness, for breaking my bargain with them. What worse punishment could there be than to keep me here on this earth when death would set me free? I sigh heavily, resting my muzzle in his hand. If I must remain then I might as well enjoy this moment. I had always thought that if, by some strange coincidence, I was ever to meet my father again, I would have so many questions to ask him - but now that the moment is here, I feel strangely content. There are no questions, only peace. I feel safe with him here beside me, strong and complete.

#Ilehana,# the tone of his voice tells me that the peace will not last, #the Ancients are displeased. You broke your pact………#

#I know.# I interrupt, drawing away. I do not deserve his comfort. #I did not mean to………#

#This they also know, and commend your action. Gods forgive, Ilehana, that is what makes them Gods. When you chose your form - the wolf - you signed up to their way of life, the life of pack. You have been alone too long, Chosen One, Sacrifice, Guardian………#

#I am no Guardian.# I correct him sharply.

#You are the Guardian of the Guardians.# Xavier smiles again. #Some parts of the Guardian legends were never recorded, my daughter. You fulfilled your part in the return of the Guardians of Destiny, you gave up all that was dear to you……… you have been alone too long, my daughter, my love, my Guardian. The time has come for you to be free of all contracts, to find your own pack once more.#

#I don't understand.# I tell him; find my pack? What can he mean? I left behind all ties to all packs when I ran from Logan……… I find myself looking toward my father for guidance and comfort - old habits die hard after all. He holds out his hand and I step under it once more. He strokes his hand back along my neck and spine, a gesture that soothes all worries and confusions.

#By morning, you will understand.# He encourages me, his voice calm and soft. I find myself yawning, I am growing sleepy now, and his image begins to slide away from me. I try to hold onto it, but there is nothing I can do to stop him leaving me alone again. However, he continues to talk, his voice echoing in the deepening darkness that envelops me. #Sleep now, Ilehana, and have no fear. We watch over you always, Chosen One. Go to sleep now.#

I have no choice but to obey.