Thank you to Direngreyrules100, Ocean of my Existence, Blacktiger93, and the two anonymous guest who review the last chapter
Chapter XIV: Our little paradise
"Kiba!...Mahina!"
It felt like it had been days that they stood around the remains of Darcia's keeps. The noble had left and the humans had disappeared but still they stayed behind long after the chaos had settled and the keep went back to being quiet as a grave.
"Kiba!..." the land echoed with the howl "Mahina!" but no one replied to Toboe's calls no matter how long or loud he did. The pup let out a slight sigh as he lowered his hands from his mouth and took a moment to look over the ruins that surrounded him. He would never forget how the ground trembled under his feet or how the walls caved around Tsume, Hige, and himself as they escaped. The three had escaped just in time before the keep was slowly engulfed in an eye burning, bright light.
When the light had faded the once ominous keep was nothing but a pile of ruined stone.
There was nothing left for them here but the three wolves stayed and they searched for the ones they were missing: Kiba and Mahina. They looked up and down the rubble hoping to find a sign of any of the three but all that remained were old scents and cold trails. Kiba had run off on his own so Toboe couldn't be too sure if he was even in the area still. The only one the pup was certain they'd have to find was Mahina; she had been injured and even for a wolf like her moving around would prove to be a task.
Tsume was the last one to see the female but he… he wouldn't talk about where she might be.
"…" Toboe gained a sullen look at the memory of Tsume's silence. Could it be that Mahina had… she had lost so much blood even if Toboe hadn't seen it he definitely smelt it. There was no way she got out of the keep on her own. Mahina might have…might have… "…no" Toboe mumbled shaking his head, Mahina was strong she was okay Toboe knew it "…Kiba! Mahina!"
But the long day passed by into night and eventually Toboe could howl no more. Eventually they had to move on because sticking around that place would change nothing for any of them. Toboe was reluctant to leave but he followed after Tsume and Hige with feelings of defeat. Night came shortly after their departure and with the night came a light, but chilling snow. Now that they weren't going at Kiba's pace Toboe was able to completely realize just how tired and ache he was. It was strange, normally the moon helped diminish wounds and sores but ever since that noble had taken Cheza away it had been doing it less and less, now it almost like the moon was taking energy away from him. Still Toboe pushed on with Tsume and Hige leading the way.
"They're gone…" Toboe broke the silence with a sullen voice "Why can't we find them?"
"Listen" Hige glanced back at Toboe briefly before looking ahead again "we looked for them everywhere we could"
"But they…they couldn't be…"
"Maybe they are, they might not have made it…" Hige's words did nothing but add to the gloomy air around the trio, not even Toboe could think of something to say in response but it was the truth. They didn't find anything, no matter how hard they searched there was no sign that Kiba or Mahina had escaped. Maybe Hige was right, maybe they were dead. Toboe didn't want to accept it but maybe it was true. Suddenly the gloomy silence was broken by the sound of Tsume scuffing; the grey wolf spun on his heel and marched back the way they had come from.
"Tsume, where are you going?" questioned Hige
"To look for them again" Tsume answered never stopping in his determined march.
"What's the point?" Hige called after him "you won't find anything, even their scents are gone" it was in these words Tsume seemed to see some reason for he stopped.
Tsume had been acting strange ever since they'd left the keep and Toboe could only assume it was because of Mahina. Of the three of them Tsume was the last one to see Mahina alive, one would think this is a good thing because then they'd be able to find the slender female or at least figure out where she went but Tsume wouldn't talk about it. When Toboe had first asked Tsume, the older male simply declared that Mahina had run off behind Kiba and said nothing more even under further questioning. Hige didn't believe him and if Toboe was being honest with himself he didn't either. The pup had been there nest to that wall of ruble as Tsume tried to squeeze through the hole and get Mahina out, he heard the weakness in Mahina's voice and the sounds of her dragging herself across the floor Toboe heard the way Tsume, for the first time, screamed Mahina's name out and the ground shaking explosion that followed. There was really only one conclusion to come to and that was that Mahina had perished in that nobles attack, and yet Tsume was going back.
"I give up" Hige broke the silence, with a tired sigh he turned his back to Toboe and Tsume "It's hopeless"
"Give up on what?" questioned Tsume
"Paradise" Hige answered shortly "I don't give a damn anymore" Toboe stood a bit straighter at this comment. Sure Hige wasn't as enthusiastic about the whole thing as say Kiba or Mahina, most of the time he seemed more interested in chasing girls and eating, but Hige was always onboard to keep going so long as everyone was safe. What was Hige saying?
"What are you saying" questioned Tsume as if reading Toboe's mind.
"I'm saying count me out" Hige answered
"What?" Toboe yelped out "you can't be serious!"
"I was never really interested in going to paradise in the first place" Hige grumbled with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulders.
"Really" challenged Tsume "and you always seem so happy to be with us?
"If I had never met them, none of this would have happen to me" Hige replied in that same grumble of a tone as before. Tsume didn't reply at first, silent agreement hung in the air.
"You're right" Tsume hummed as if this were all some kind of funny joke "If they hadn't shown up in the city I don't think any of us would have left."
"Things were a lot easier, that's for sure" Hige remarked
"Yea, except we were pathetic back then" Tsume spat
"We'' we're pretty pathetic out here too" snapped Hige angrily
"Come on guys… cut it out would you?" Toboe's voice was weak when he tried to reason with his two comrades. The pup sank to his knees exhausted "isn't it bad enough that our bodies are totally wrecked? Why does everybody have to fight about everything, arguing and stealing from each other all the time?" his whole journey had been nothing but fighting since day one: humans fighting other humans and wolves fighting humans and wolves fighting amongst themselves. Maybe Toboe was too young to understand the workings of life but for now Toboe just couldn't see why they all find some way of getting along with each other why was it so hard? "I mean" the pup went on to say "it's a big enough world. Why can't we share it?...wolves and humans and birds…and flowers living together as equals" Toboe sighed looking to the grey sky above them "If we all got to paradise that's how it would be wouldn't it?"
Hige didn't respond, neither did Tsume leaving Toboe to sit and contemplate his own question in silence. The surrounding area wasn't silent however; it was broken by a loud yelp of a noise followed by the muffled 'thump' of a body hitting the snowy ground just beside where Toboe knelt. The pup yelped tumbling sideways away from the new arrival while Tsume and Hige spun around giving their attention with readiness to kill. It didn't take the cloud of snow long to settles so luckily no one had to wait very long to quickly realize that their new company was far from a threat.
"It's… It's a girl" Toboe observed
Indeed it was, a tiny thing perhaps matching Toboe in size from what the trio could see. She groaned pushing herself up and shaking snow out of her long, black hair and her shabby looking coat. It took her a moment but eventually the girl noticed that she wasn't alone. When she raised her head Toboe got the chance to look right into the two deep emerald pools that were the young girl's eyes and almost immediately a blush came to his cheeks.
"Are you… are you okay?" Toboe found his voice inching a bit closer as the girl pushed herself to her feet and brushed snow off the rest of her body. "Are you lost?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing" the girl replied pleasantly looking from Toboe to Tsume and Hige "this isn't really a tourist area…actually its noble territory-" the young girl stopped in the middle of her sentence deciding instead to take in a sharp breath "that's right!" she seemed to recall something "It's not safe for you here!"
"Not safe?" Toboe echoed, the young girl nodded her head.
"I saw noble ships not long ago, ships from Lady Jagura's fleet. She's none too kind-in fact I've heard she's vicious" the young girl explained enthusiastically to Toboe who nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"But if it's not safe… then what are you doing here?"
"Ah! Well I'm collecting herbs for…" and so the two conversed on as if there were no troubles in the world for them to worry about. As they talked, however, Tsume couldn't help but stare at the girl in great curiosity. Both Tsume and Hige watched with stern faces as the two children chattered on while picking up the herbs that the young girl had dropped in her slip and fall.
"Hige" Tsume addressed the chubby male
"Hm"
"Do you smell that?"
"…" Hige's nose twitched and he nodded "Yea…that's defiantly an interesting scent"
"Why don't all of you come back with me?" the young girl spoke cheerfully turning to Hige and Tsume once all she had collected was back in the basket she carried "It's almost suppertime and you all look pretty tired"
"Well if you put it that way-" Hige perked at the mention of food
"We wouldn't want to intrude" Tsume interrupted "We have to get moving anyway"
"You wouldn't be intruding at all" the girl smiled "we have plenty of room for all of you and besides…" the girl looked up to the darkening sky "The snow is starting to get heavy, at this rate it might storm…"
She had a point but her scent definitely bothered Tsume so even though Hige and Toboe stepped closer to the girl the grey wolf stayed rooted to his spot,
"Come on Tsume" Hige remarked "It's late, we're tired and hungry"
"We can figure out what we'll do in the morning" Toboe added hopefully "can't we just rest?"
"…" Tsume said nothing continuing to stare hard at the young girl who simply smiled back pleasantly; it was as is she wasn't inviting three complete strangers over for dinner to her.
"I'm not asking you to move in" chirped the green eyed girl "I'm only offering you a moment of rest… I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't help you all" all the while she talked a pleasant smile stayed on her face and though Tsume looked hard for it the grey male saw no malice of ill-intent in the girl's eyes. She was sincere.
"…one night" Tsume gave in "that's all"
"Of course" the young girl nodded her head then turned away from the trio "this way" she motioned "I'm staying in a little chapel just north of here"
The walk to this little chapel was a short one but one full of chatter. Toboe took the front walking in step with their young host and talking about all sorts of things with her. Hige remarked once that the pup's talking was obnoxious but the girl they followed stated that she didn't mind. She didn't see many people, she explained, and the person she traveled with didn't talk much.
"He doesn't?" questioned Toboe
"No" the girl shook her head "Cole likes to keep to himself most of the time, so I get a little lonely sometimes"
"We have a friend like that too" Toboe said "he was traveling with us and he never really talked much"
"I see, perhaps your friend would get along well with Cole" the girl remarked with a giggle and Toboe chuckled his agreement though Tsume was like that too and he never seem to get along with Kiba that well "so where is your friend now?"
"Huh?" Toboe was pulled from his thoughts at the question.
"Well, you said that he was traveling with you meaning that he isn't anymore" the girl observed smartly "did something happen?"
"Oh well… we got separated" Toboe answered sullenly, the girl walking with him quickly caught on that the subject was touché; she breathed a quiet 'oh' and turned her focus forward.
"I…never stopped to ask you your name" a moment later the girl was back to being her ever cheerful-self offering Toboe a smile that brought a blush back to the pup's face.
"My names Toboe" Toboe introduced himself just as the little chapel came into view "back there is Tsume and Hige"
"It's an honor to meet you all" the young girl hummed stopping before the chapel steps and turning to face them "my name is Reina"
Reina's home was an old, little chapel that had fallen to ruin where weeds and wild vines had taken over the yard and walls. The roof had either been destroyed or caved in and what was still standing of it had been worn down from the weather and age. All and all the place was old and if it had stood as glorious example of human architecture any point of time since its construction that day had long since pasted along with everyone but this human girl.
Completely unaware of the true nature of her company, Reina lead the three through the ruined chapel, to a back room and down into what was once a cellar but had been remolded for the little human's needs.
"I-I don't have much" Reina said once they entered the room. She set her basket down at the door and hurried farther in "but please make yourselves at home" one by one Reina began lighting candles in the room allowing more of the room to be seen. She had been right, there really wasn't much to behold in her little home. There were a bundle of old blankets in a far corner of the room where he girl must sleep and in another corner were stacks of boxes and old chairs and next to that sat bags that must have been from traveling. When all the candles were lit Reina moved on to what looked like an old mini furnace that sat by the only window in the room, she quickly went to work on getting a fire started "I'll get supper started and Cole should be back soon" the girl smiled brightly to the three before turning to the furnace and getting started. As expected, Hige was the first to get comfortable dropping into one of the old chairs and sighing with content. Toboe followed suit soon after but Tsume remained standing.
This whole thing made him uneasy, what was a human child doing out here on her own inviting strangers for supper of all things! Reina had said the land around Darcia's keep was dangerous but than what had she been doing over there? Then there was this scent, the one Hige deemed interesting, it had been faint when they first met the girl but it was a whole lot stronger here- it practically dominated the room. Tsume didn't trust the situation at all.
"So, Reina" Toboe broke the silence in the room.
"Hm?" Reina hummed out, she was slipping off her coat while she waited for the fire to grow. She wore a white short sleeve shirt over a long sleeve black one, both were covered in holes. The rest of her long black hair, which had been tucked into her coat, revealed its length to be down to the girl's waist held together in a tatter cloth that must have been a ribbon at one point. The girl ran her hands down her long black skirt before she kneeled before the furnace to check the fire.
"What are you doing out here all on your own?" Toboe asked
"Well I lost my mom and dad when I was young" Reina explained calmly poking the flames with a stick "but I'm not all alone, I have Cole" the young girl offered her company a bright smile despite the curious look she was given in return "Cole's been taking care of me" Reina explained "I wouldn't be here if not for him…"
Of course no one said anything in response to the girl's words, what could they say? But this Cole person Reina kept talking about, he was certainly someone Tsume was curious to meet. He had to be much older that this girl if he's been raising her since she was young/ a brother perhaps? But that wouldn't explain this scent not in the least bit. He would have to wait and see and the waiting itself wasn't that long either. Moments later the sound of footsteps echoed from above and the scent of blood from a fresh hunt lingered in the air.
"Someone's coming" Toboe said looking up at the ceiling
"That must be Cole" Reina mused happily hurrying to the door as the new guest made his way down the stairs. The scent…it was over bearing now.
"Hige" Tsume remarked
"Yes" Hige already knew
"What is it?" Toboe mused curiously but before Tsume or Hige could explain the door to the room opened.
"You're back: Reina was practically bouncing on her toes with joy at the arrival of her companion and in the candle lit room Tsume could take in Cole's human features well enough.
Cole was tall, three heads taller than the young girl before him, with a white button up shirt and black pants. Among the shaggy mess that was his black hair Tsume met golden eyes. Cole stared down at Reina for a second but then his nose twitched and he noticed Reina wasn't alone in the room. Whatever he held dropped to the ground with a slight splat and Cole tensed up.
"Reina!" he barked out gripping the girl's shoulder and shoving her behind him "Get back!"
"Wha-Cole!" Reina stumbled gripping the door for support.
"Well what do you know…" Tsume mused staring at the one named Cole who bared teeth at the trio of wolves.
"It all makes sense now" Hige nodded his head in agreement "why a human girl could smell like a wolf"
"A wolf?" Toboe echoed confused but when he looked at Cole closely he saw it. Cole was a wolf matching Tsume in size with a pitch black coat and burning red eyes and right now he stood in a position that said he was ready to attack anyone who came close.
"Who are you three?" Cole demanded "and what is your purpose here?"
"Cole please" Reina tried to reason with the male
"Reina, stay back" Cole looked back and sent Reina a stern look.
"Look, we don't want any trouble here" Hige spoke up holding his hands up in defense when Cole growled at him "We're just passing through"
"Yes, passing through looking for a fresh kill no doubt" retorted Cole
"Fresh kill?" Toboe repeated
"Cole please, listen" Reina tried again gripping the male's arm in hopes of earning his attention.
"Look" Tsume didn't have the patience for this at the moment "We didn't come to kill you human. She invited us here"
"Don't spout lies to me" Cole snarled "she wouldn't invite strangers into our home unless she was tricked"
"Hey no one was tricked here!" Hige jumped in
"Yea, Reina insisted" Toboe added
"Enough of your lies!" Cole barked "I don't know where the rest of your pack is but I won't let any of you hurt Reina" the young girl frowned deeply at these words "I'll kill you, all of you"
"Is that a threat?" Tsume arched a brow before smirking. It had been a while since Tsume had a good fright.
"It's a promise" Cole declared and that was all Tsume needed to get him started, but as the grey wolf let out a snarl of his own Reina spoke up.
"No Cole!" the young human pushed past Cole and stepped between him and the trio dropping to her knees almost immediately "you mustn't Cole"
"Reina move" snarled Cole "do you have any idea what these three are?!"
"Of course I do!" Reina replied
"You do?" Toboe could hardly cover his surprise at the revelation. Those pretty green eyes knew the truth, she could see past the illusion. Reina looked back at Toboe and nodded her head.
"And that is why you must stop" the girl turned back to Cole "you are kin! Sent to us by the Great Spirit! The world is freezing, the Great Spirit calls you home to paradise but its gates will not open if you fight amongst yourselves and show you are unworthy! You must stop…"
"What the hell is she rambling on about?" remarked a bewildered Hige
"Hige" Toboe gaped "she knows about paradise"
"When ends the world the wolf shall seek paradise" the four wolves watched stunned as Reina brought her hands close to her and dropped her head in what looked to be prayer as if she quietly prayed that there would be no fight and there wouldn't be. At the sight of Reina knelt in prayer Cole relaxed dropping his offensive position in turn making Tsume relax.
"So say the book of Red Moon…"
"We come from a village very far south of here."
When the tense air had settled between everyone the supper Reina had been cooking was finished and quickly eaten until nothing remained of it. It was while the five sat by the fire of the furnace letting their meal settle in their stomachs that our trio learned that Reina had always been able to see the true forms of wolves, that it was her birthright. Toboe curiously questioned what they meant by birthright and it was them as Reina dozed off in Coles' arms, that he trio heard the tale of Cole the wolf and Reina Lumeria.
"A long time ago my pack lived in harmony with that village. The villagers worshiped us like gods and in return we granted each family one of our own for protection" the black wolf looked down at the young girl who sleepily gazed back at him and smiled "the Lumeria family was my charge"
"So Reina, when you said Cole had been taking care of you since you were little you meant…" Toboe trailed off but Reina seemed to understand for she nodded.
"Cole was given to my family when I was a baby" she answered happily "he was so small back then" she added with a giggle
"But then one day the village was attacked" Cole went on with his tale "a wild fire swept across the land and the village burned to the ground"
"A fire" Tsume murmured to himself, just like Kiba, just like Mahina. Cole nodded.
"My pack- the ones who weren't immediately trapped- managed to escape but at the price of abandoning their charges" by now Reina had fallen asleep in his arms, the wolf smiled fondly and brushed hair out of her face before lifting the girl up and carrying her over to the bundles of blankets of the other side of the room "I was only able to save Reina from such a fate…"
"Did you ever find out what attacked your village?" Hige questioned, it was something they were all curious to know. Cole nodded his head again.
"The nobles" he answered with venom in his voice as he returned to where he had been sitting before "They set fire to every house that sheltered a wolf without mercy for the humans within. They didn't care so long as we were eradicated."
"Even the humans?" Toboe gasped in horror
"We did all we could to save the humans who had been trapped" Cole went on to say sadly "but eventually the decision was made to escape while we still could."
"So then what now?" Tsume questioned
"My pack-long before this happen- had planned for such situations" Cole explained calmly "there is a tribe of natives we once took refuge with a long time ago. In case we had to flee our home we were to return to them. They have taken my pack in-or so I've heard. So, I am taking Reina there." there was quiet acknowledgment of the black wolf's plans for himself and his human girl. The group soon fell into a calm silence after the tale was told and each wolf was left to their own thoughts, it was like this for a while before anyone decided to speak. "What about you?" Cole's eyes scanned over the trio that sat before him "What are you doing in these parts if you aren't with a bigger pack"
"We were bigger" Toboe jumped in before Tsume or Hige could deflect the question "we were in the keep when it was attacked and we got separated from our friends and we're looking for them now"
"Your friends?" Cole spoke curiously Toboe nodded meekly
"Yes" he confirmed "they're names are Kiba and Mahina"
"It's safe to assume that the both of you have been here for a while now" Tsume spoke up with his arms crossed "did you see the attack on the keep"
"I did" answered Cole
"Did you see anything after?" Tsume questioned on "the two wolves we're looking for, they might have gone off after the nobles. Did you see anybody running from the keep after it was attacked?"
"…" for a while Cole didn't answer the question; he stared down at his lap shaking his head "I wish I could help you but no, I saw nothing of the sort"
"….oh…" Toboe sighed hanging his head, so maybe Kiba and Mahina really did…
"….I saw him" her voice was soft but the four wolves in the room were able to hear it nonetheless. Toboe looked up and was surprised to find that Reina was not only awake again but looming over the four wolves though none of them had heard the girl stir from her sleep or move across the room. Reina met eyes with Toboe but they were glazed over, it was almost like she wasn't looking at him at all. "He was running from the keep as fast as he possibly could, the wolf with fur as white as snow"
"Fur white as snow" Toboe let the description process before he realized what she said "you mean you saw Kiba?"
"What direction were they heading?" Tsume prompted the girl to go on while a look of shock and terror crossed Cole's face.
"You went to Darcia's keep?" the black wolf spoke obviously trying hard not to raise his voice at the young, human girl "Reina I specifically told you never to go near that place, it's dangerous!" but Reina made no motion or sounds that she had heard him or was acknowledging him, her big eyes gazed up at the window over their heads.
"South" Reina answered Tsume "the ships were heading south and he followed them"
The pack fell into silence after the human's words, quietly mulling over the news given to them. White wolves were pretty rare even when they hadn't been on verge of extinction so it was probably safe to assume that this white wolf that Reina had seen was most likely Kiba which meant he was alive
"Is… Is Kiba all you saw?" Toboe broke the silence first with a hopeful look to his eyes "She'd be really slender with black and white fur. Her name is Mahina"
"I didn't see anyone else "Reina replied with a light shake of her head "just the white one"
"…oh" Toboe's expression fell
"Reina…" Cole held the girl by her forearms and turned her to face him "Why would you disobey me like that? You know those nobles are dangerous"
"I had to" replied Reina softly, her glazed eyes slowly becoming clearer "I had to be there as witness"
"A…witness?" echoed the wolf confused, Reina nodded
"To the white wolf" she explained "so that his pack may know…"
"…South huh?" Hige mutter before another silence could envelope the room, the chubby male sighed sitting back in his seat "well… it's a weak lead but… it's one none the less…"
"So you'll head south?" Reina questioned and when she was given no objections she assumed it was so "We'll go with you"
"You will?"
"We will be heading south as well" Cole nodded his head "The tribe we've been tracking were heading in that direction, we can all leave tomorrow at first light"
The five took rest in that chapel shortly after this conversation but Toboe, as he lay by the dying fire, found that for most of the night sleep would not come to him. He spent the beginning of the night worrying about his lost friends: What happen to Blue? Where did Kiba run off to? And Mahina, was she okay? Did she survive? So many questions left to be unanswered but, oddly as it sounds, it was okay- at least for the moment- for as the night ticked on and the wind howled outside many other thoughts crossed the young wolf's mind.
Toboe lay on his side and stared at the curious pair known as Reina and Cole. When the large, black male was ready to go to sleep he curled up in that big pile of rags and blankets and Reina didn't hesitate to welcome his presence allowing him to curl around her frame and snuggled deep into his fur until Toboe could barely make out her face among the sea of black.
A human and a wolf traveling together- supporting each other; it was a scenario some would find unlikely and most would be disgusted by.
But not Toboe.
The copper pup smiled slightly to himself at the pair for theirs was an existence Toboe had always wanted to see between the two species. That would be paradise to him, a place where all living creatures were equal and no one lived in fear and no one suffered.
The sight of the two quickly and effortlessly eased Toboe's restless mind and finally he was visited by sleep that took him like the rest of them and for the first time a peaceful and resting sleep came to the pup.
At the first ray of sunlight, just as Cole had said, the group was awake and ready to go. Reina had very little to pack- for the sake of light and fast travel she left quite a bit behind. Toboe had asked her about such things but she when she made no sound that she was bothered the pup let it go and they were off with Reina riding atop Cole's back like he was some sort of horse.
They didn't get far before they made their first stop, actually it was roughly around the same area that the gang first met Reina. Suddenly Toboe stopped running.
"Hey guys" he called to the others "Wait" he turned his nose to the air taking in this scent that stopped him.
"…what is it?" Tsume asked from the front of the pack but Toboe couldn't put his finger on it. He wasn't sure what it was but the pup was almost certain he caught this scent once or twice before.
"I'm not sure but it's a familiar scent" Toboe answered Tsume.
"A scent?" he wanted the pup to elaborate but Toboe was too focused on finding the source of his curiosity to do so.
Breaking away from the group the pup made his way over towards the scent with the others trailing behind him. What they found lay in a little dip in the snowy land covered in a light layer of white but it took very little time and effort to realize who this was.
"It's him again" Tsume remarked recognizing the scent
"Him?" Cole echoed looking over the unconscious human curiously, his nose twitched as he took in the old man's scent.
"The old man is some kind of wolf hunter" Hige explained with a hint of bitterness in his tone. The old geezer almost killed Mahina after all "He's been chasing us for I don't know how long"
"Is he… dead?" Reina questioned in a soft voice, tentatively she pressed her body close to Cole's never taking her eyes off the unmoving man.
Only Toboe moved to check.
"… His body is almost frozen" the copper pup announced upon closer inspection of the old wolf hunter Blue called 'pops'.
"Just leave him" Hige turned away from the sight without even a sign of remorse.
"Leave him here to die?" Reina looked to Hige with a look of utter astonishment "But he's…"
"It's what he deserves" Hige remarked coldly
"How can you say that knowing how important he is to Blue" Toboe shot Hige's back a look but his tone of disappointment fell on deaf ears "It we don't do something he's going to die" still Hige didn't move nor did he show any sign that he might any time soon proving how very little he cared for the half dead human. Toboe sighed turning his gaze back to the human "…we couldn't do anything to save Blue either… don't you remember?"
Blue was a sensitive topic for Hige, Toboe knew that. Still he mentioned their inability to save her from the chaos with hopes that if Hige really cared about blue he'd find it in his heart to help the human who raised her. Toboe knew the risks of bringing up such a sensitive subject especially when it was so fresh in all of their minds, that's why he wasn't surprised when Hige reacted the way that he did when Toboe had decided to bring it up.
The pup heard Reina gasp just before he was jerked to his feet by the front of his shirt right before Hige slugged him hard in the face.
"Toboe!" the girl yelped as Toboe was sent tumbling away from everyone. "Please, don't!"
"Would you stop it!" Tsume remarked angrily yanking Hige back by the collar round his neck when he moved to continue his attack.
"There's no use taking your frustration out on each other" Cole commented stepping between the feuding pack while Reina helped Toboe stumble back to his feet. Hige easily yanked himself free of Tsume's grip though he didn't move to continue his assault.
"…" The chubby male sent an angry look to all those around before grumbling to himself "We're looking for Kiba right?" Hige snapped "then let's go" with that said the ember wolf turned away from the scene and began the walk south where Reina claimed to have seen Kiba go.
"Reina" Cole spoke the girls name and she perked at the sound of it "Let's go"
"…" Reina looked at the half frozen old man for a moment then at Toboe "Right…" she nodded and quickly was beside Cole before the two turned away in union.
"Toboe" Tsume called for the pup who now stared at Blue's human.
"Why don't you go ahead" Toboe replied looking back at the slowly retreating group. Hige didn't stop walking and neither did Cole but Reina stopped and stared over her shoulder at Toboe curiously "I'll catch up" the pup assure the girl when they met eyes.
"Don't come crying to me when he wakes up and shoots you" Hige called over his shoulder with little remorse.
"…hey…" Tsume hadn't moved from his spot nor did he ease the stern look he was fixing Toboe with.
"… hey…" Tsume hadn't moved from his spot nor did he ease the stern look he was fixing Toboe with.
"Just go on" Toboe insisted making it obvious he had no plans to leave the wolf hunter to die.
"Toboe…" Reina couldn't help but stare fondly at the pup
"Don't get too attached" Tsume warned the pup without even trying to change his mind "He's a human after all…"
So the three remaining wolves and their human companion continued on leaving Toboe to whatever fate lay waiting for him in response to his act of kindness. Before any of them knew it, snow was surrendering to sand and the chilly air became just a bit warmer though Reina was the only one relieved that this was so since she lacked fur to keep her warm like Cole or Tsume or Hige. It was as open plain became a series of plateaus that Hige grew curious of the little human girl and her wolf guardian.
"Say… Reina" Hige glanced back at the girl "Last night, that stuff you were muttering when Cole and Tsume were going to fight…"
"Yes?" Reina urged the chubby male to speak on
"Well I was wondering …what was that?" Hige finally asked
"Oh those" Reina smiled "those were prayers"
"Prayers?" Tsume echoed looking back with slight interest now.
"Mhm" the young girl nodded
"I tell you now the words of Red Moon" Cole recited casually as the group strolled along "From the Great Spirit was born a wolf and man became its messenger"
"Back home, our towns older families held firm to the belief of paradise" Reina explained offering the black wolf beside her an affectionate gaze "That wolves were the blessing of the Great Spirit that created us all and that one day we would be beckoned home so says the Book of the Red Moon"
"You both keep that that" Hige noticed "but what is it, this Book of The Red Moon"
"It's sacred text" Reina explained "passed down from generations by the very first wolf to walk this earth. It's said that the book chronicles the steps needed for paradise to begin calling and the world to end but…" suddenly Reina fell silent and a sullen look came to her face.
"But?" Tsume urged
"The sacred text, The Book of the Red Moon" Cole picked up where Reina stopped "was taken from us… by Nobles" the last word was pat with absolute venom.
"Unlike most humans, Nobles have abandoned all connection to the Great Spirit" Reina spoke sadly "they forgot their origin and saw the book as nothing but a tool to rule over us all and it's caused a great imbalance" the young girl frowned on look over the barren landscape that they passed "So I believe paradise is beginning to call…"
"Do you really believe crap like that" Tsume look the young girl over with a raised eyebrow. How could she talk so confidently about not only something she didn't know was real but something that, if real, she could never enter?
"I do" Reina didn't hesitate to nod "the words of Red Moon are what lead me to that fallen keep yesterday. It's because of it I can see your true form" the girls green orbs found Tsume's golden ones and for a second The grey wolf felt like she was staring into his soul and suppressed a shudder "and when I saw your friend…the white wolf… I knew it was all true"
"What makes Kiba so damn important" Tsume questioned on
"The first wolf born from the Great Spirit was white" Cole elaborated "and it's said that when paradise does open that it will be at the will of a white wolf"
"the fact still stands that it's useless to keep looking for him" Hige jumped back into the conversation and easily changed the subject back to their main objective "I mean" he went on to say "do we go back and search the keep again or go past those huge mountains and look for him there" sighing loudly the chubby male slumped his shoulders and what must be defeat "Either way we don't know if he's even alive"
"…" for a moment no one said anything. They were grasping at straws following Reina's lead after all but amongst the silence Tsume found the will to snicker "I had no idea you were so worried about that Blue chic"
"Hey!" Hige shot Tsume a nasty look "What do you mean? I haven't said a word about her"
"It's because you haven't said a word that proves it" Tsume chuckled back
"It's not like that-" Hige began to argue but an eerie sound pierced the air and though Reina's feeble human ears couldn't pick up quite as well her Wolf company could.
Cole easily took Reina off her feet before she could question why they had stopped walking and the four quickly took cover in the cliffs they walked among as a large black ship hovered overhead.
"those are the same guys who brought down Darcia's keep" Tsume observed as it floated over where they hid and eventually flew passed "which ever Noble they work for they're too strong for us to fight"
"It's Jagura" Reina breathed watching the ship as she clung to Cole
"Jagura?" Tsume looked to the girl while Hige nodded in agreement
"They must be hers" he agreed "She's the ruling Noble to the south"
"How do you know" inquired Cole
"I just… heard the name is all" Hige shrugged
"Jagura…" when the air no longer rang with the sound of the ship Tsume stepped out into the open and continued to watch it as it grew smaller with distance "That's what that human in the last town said. He made it sound like she was collecting wolves"
"But why would she want to do that?" Reina furrowed her brow
"Who knows" Tsume answered "But I don't think it's for anything good"
Just as the airship became barely visible and its eerie ring faint a familiar howl shot out though the air making everyone look behind them where it had come from.
"A howl" Reina remarked
"That sounded like the runt" Hige noted visibly tensing, did that old bastard really wake up and shoot Toboe? Hige looked to Tsume and the two nodded before taking off back the way they had come from.
"Reina, stay here and stay hidden" Cole barked out before quickly following after the two males.
They found Toboe and his assailants not far from where they left Reina. The pup was unharmed but currently he was being circled by two humans riding horses. Cole quickly raced ahead charging the nearest horse and snapping at its feet to startle it. The horse neighed loudly lifting up to it hind legs and throwing its rider to the ground. Hige arrived as this was happening and pounced the human before he could recover from his fall. Tsume arrived next leaping into the air and tackling the other human clean off his horse and to the ground with a loud grunt.
"Guys…" Toboe openly sighed a loud breath of relief
"Are you okay Toboe?" Cole turned to the pup who nodded his head
"Are you one of Jagura's flunkies?" Tsume had a blade to the neck of the human he tackled "why is she after us? What the hell does she want?" but the human appeared confused by the questions directed at him.
"Jagura?" he echoed flinching briefly when Tsume inched his blade closer to the human's neck/
"…wait Tsume" Cole spoke approached the grey wolf and getting a better look at the human being threatened. This human didn't look like the solider of a noble… in fact he looked like- "Tsume don't!" Cole barked out realizing who this was.
"Back off!" Tsume sent the black wolf a glare before turning back to the human "she's capturing wolves and I want to know why?"
"…capturing…. Ha…hahaha" the humans confused expression turned to a look of realization and then quickly amusement and before any of the four wolves knew it he was…laughing?
"Why are you laughing!?" squeaked Toboe from where he sat "What's so funny?"
"If you guys are wolves you should have said so in the first place" the human snickered out not at all bothered by the confused looks he was given "that's just great" he sighed "the elder's gonna have my hide for this one…"
The human turned out to be a member of the tribe Cole had mentioned the day before. The one who had attacked Toboe, after realizing they were wolves, was quick to apologize for doing so and introduced himself as Ike. With all the confusion, thankfully, out of the way Reina was picked up and the steadily growing group made the journey back to the tribe's camp grounds.
"Again, I'm sorry about all of that" from his horse Ike apologized again "you see, some of our friend were attacked last night and we just assumed it was you"
"Well it wasn't" snapped Tsume
"It couldn't have been us" Reina was quick to defend the pack "we were nowhere near this area last night"
"I know" Ike looked over his shoulder at the young girl sitting on his horse with him, when Reina looked at him doubtfully Ike offered her a reassuring smile "It couldn't have been wolves, for one thing they used guns" Ike explained turning his attention ahead as they neared camp "besides" he went on "we of the Mon tribe believe in wolves, in their existence and their spirit"
"Some people believed that the Lumaerias were once a part of the Mon tribe" Cole spoke up earning a curious look from Toboe "but while passing an area ruled by wolves some of the tribe decided to stay thus created the town both myself and Reina were born in"
"It's possible" Reina mused with a smile on her face "our teachings and stories are very much alike at their core. Especially our belief in the spirit of the wolf"
"Yes" Ike nodded his head; he slowed to a stop just as they arrived at the camp.
The Mon tribes' camp was nothing particularly grand in structure. The dry desert plain was littered with tents constructed out of animal skins and sticks looking easy to build and even easier to take down making them good for traveling. Animals and humans alike moved about this camp as if they had no troubles in the world.
"Everyone lives here?" questioned Toboe as he took in the peaceful camp they now found themselves in "together I mean"
"Yea" Ike answered as he climbed off his horse" we travel as a unit"
"Wow"
"Is that so unusual?" it was obvious by his tone that Ike found Toboes awe of the situation amusing among other things. After he helped Reina back to level ground Ike turned and smiled at Toboe "we live together by treating everything as equally as the next- horse and dogs and humans…"
Toboe couldn't help but offer Ike his still awed expression. After all that the pup had gone through the very idea of all walks of life coming together and living in absolute peace seemed like nothing but a distant dream even more unrealistic than paradise.
But here it was, right before Toboes eyes.
The pup hung back as everyone trailed after Ike where ever he was going. With the human's words still in his head Toboe took the camp in with a whole different perspective. When he thought of paradise this was what came to mind for him and the fact that something like what he hoped for actually existed in the world was a heartwarming thing.
With a group like this why would Toboe even consider going on with a journey where all he did was get in everyone's way… but that wasn't something to be thinking right now. Toboe quickly shook his head of the negative thoughts and hurried after the others before he could lose track of them.
When he found everyone again they were watching as Ike kneeled before two young girls tending to a dog.
"So" Ike mused running a hand over the dogs head "How's he doing?"
"Much better" one girl chirped with a bright smile on her face "he stopped whimpering"
"And he drank a whole bunch of milk just a while ago" informed the other
"He did?" questioned Ike and the young girls giggled nodding their heads in confirmation before running off happily.
"Is he one of your friends that was attacked?" Tsume questioned once the children were out of sight and the group was left to observe the dog.
"I don't know if they were poachers or what, they just hurt the dogs and left" Ike explained never taking his eyes off the dog. The poor canine seemed to enjoy Ike's attention and wagged its tail to indicate so "this one kept fighting up into the very end"
"We know who might have done this… that old human" Tsume deliberated
"But it couldn't have been him!" Toboe didn't hesitate to defend Blue's human and Reina was quick to back him up
"He was half frozen when we found him this morning" the young girl spoke calmly looking the injured dog over "and besides…he was in roughly the same area we were in, he would be too far to have injured the dogs here"
"If he's a wolf hunter that's been chasing you guys for as long as you claim, he must be able to know the difference between a dog and a wolf" was Coles contribution to the conversation.
"It they confused the dogs for wolves than maybe…" Hige trailed off looked to Tsume who nodded his head in agreement
"Jagura" Tsume declared
"She might be killing anything she can get her hands on" Hige summed up "even if it just looks like a wolf"
"Cole" Toboe turned to the male "Do you think that perhaps this… Jagura is the Noble that attacked your town?"
"I couldn't be certain" Cole shook his head and frowned deeply "I was about as young as you when it happen and Reina was too little to remember what happen"
"Besides" Reina spoke up "there were many Nobles fighting for power when the attack happened, a lot who were destroyed over the years… it's unlikely that it was Jagura"
"Unlikely, but possible" Ike corrected her pushing himself to his feet "You said the name Lumeria before, are you from that family?" this question was directed to Cole who shook his head
"No" he denied "I'm a part of the pack that lived with their towns' people… Reina is my charge" Cole place an affectionate hand on Reina's head and she smiled in response.
"I'm Reina Lumeria" she introduced herself
"Yes, Lumeria" Ike nodded "our elder has mentioned that name, you're one of us"
"We came looking for Coles pack" Reina motioned to herself and Cole "A crow told us they travel with your tribe"
"We did have a pack here with us for about a month" Ike tipped his head in thought as he tried to recall it "They parted with us and moved east a week ago…"
"Really?" Toboe watched Reinas eyes light up as Ike nodded before she looked to her wolf guardian "Cole, we're so close!"
"Yeah" Coles nodded
"That's great Reina" Toboe hummed exchanging smiled with the girl
"What will you do when you've found them?" Hige arched a brow curiously
"What will we do?" Cole echoed mirroring Hige's expression "I thought that much would be obvious…"
"We're going to go home" Reina was quick to answer
"Home?" Hige murmured
"Back to your destroyed town?" Tsume tried not to scuff at the plan the pair had but Reina didn't look bothered in fact she looked amused. Her smile grew wider than before and with her lovely green eyes twinkling she said something that stunned the three wolves she had just met a day ago:
"Of course not, silly, we're going to return home to paradise"
Home to paradise
To have a mere human girl say those words with such assurance in her eyes. Tsume didn't hesitate to laugh the minute the words left her mouth and Hige only barely repressed rolling his eyes but Toboe stared at little Reina in awe. Her words stuck with Toboe that day and her undeterred spirit in the face of such harsh laughter made the runt think about it for the rest of the day.
After seeing the tribes elder and hearing his story about how the world came to be, Toboe was still thinking about it. Eventually the young wolf was left restless and ended up wondering about the camp as night came and the others were given a place to rest.
It was during his wondering that Toboe encountered the human he pondered about.
The Mon tribe quickly welcomed Reina like she was born there. They gave her food and new cloths and a warm place to sleep. Honestly, if her completion had been a bit darker Toboe probably wouldn't have realized it was her. He found her perched on a rock by herself staring up at the moon. Reina looked so calm, so at peace with herself that Toboe was hesitant to approach her. Eventually, though, he found some courage and did.
"it's getting late" he mused and she turned her head to look at him as he carefully sat down on an edge of the rock "Aren't you going to go to sleep"
"Yea I will eventually" Reina moved over giving Toboe a hint to scoot closer which he did after a moment's hesitation "I just wanted to look at the moon for a bit…"
"Oh" Toboe mused then looked up at it as well.
"There's something wrong about this moon" Reina comment as the two of them continued to stare up at the orb in the sky. Just like the night Cheza was first taken the moon was no longer white but a faint shade of red and much like the past few days it felt like it hardly gave any energy like it use to.
"What do you think it means?" Toboe asked
"…I think someone is doing something" Reina answered "Someone who has my families' sacred text"
"Sacred text"
"The Book of the Red moon" Reina replied calmly "its words taught me everything I know about wolves and paradise. The book made me aware of a home I never know I had"
"But Reina you're…" Toboe trailed off as Reina turned her head to look at him. IT felt wrong to crush the girl's dreams by reminding her of the truth. She was so dedicated to her faith, what right did he have to change that?
"Hm?" Reina tipped her head as Toboe bit his lip and tried to look away. He could see it in her eyes though; Reina knew what Toboe wanted to say. "But I'm what? But I'm Human?" the girl questioned and Toboe shamefully nodded.
"Yea" he said "Paradise is meant for wolves…so you, being human can't…can't…" Toboe faltered and felt ashamed of himself but, as he should have expected by now, when the pup looked up at the young girl her green eyes showed no sorrow. In fact, Reina smiled so sweetly at Toboe that the runt couldn't help but blush a bit.
"Paradise is meant for wolves" Reina repeated his words turning her eyes back to the moon "so I, being a human, can't go to Paradise…right?" she looked to Toboe again.
"… Yea" Toboe nodded hesitantly
"…" there was a pause in the conversation and Toboe thought Reina would get angry with him but she didn't. The human hummed in response turning her eyes ahead "…you know, when I was growing up my mom use to tell me the stories the elder was telling before"
"About humans being made by wolves?" questioned Toboe
"yea" Reina nodded "In a way that makes us wolves too…" the young girl took in a deep breath and let out a long sigh that someone her age shouldn't have a reason to let out, it was like years upon years weighed down on her shoulders in that sigh. "But with time, we forgot our oldest roots and lost the abilities the wolves bless us with" she went on to explain "and in that forgotteness… the Noble came to be and with them came the sins of greed and lust and envy and the like. We, as humans, followed these powerful being born of our own abandonment of the Great Spirit and treated the creatures of the earth as they did: as lesser beings. For these offences most humans don't deserve to return to paradise with the wolves that created us…"
"But not all humans are like that!" Toboe was quick to voice his opinion. In truth Reina words scared him, they contradicted her every action and the resolve she displayed to everyone. Did even Reina believe she wouldn't make it? This thought almost made Toboe tear up in sorrow "Like Ike and the rest of the Mon tribe…a-and your parents… and you too Reina… all of you… you treat everyone with such care and understanding…there's… there's no way someone like you can go through life like this and not get rewarded." By the end of his rant Toboe moved from sitting next to Reina to standing before her with his hands clenched into tight, angry fist.
It wasn't fair… it wasn't fair.
"…haha" a soft sound was the answer to Toboes angry rant. The pup was left stunned as Reina broke into giggles and soon very loud laughs that she seemed to be trying hard to quiet with her hand "hahahaha"
"I-It's not funny!" Toboe flashed red though out of anger or embarrassment he wasn't sure anymore "I…I'm serious!"
"I-I'm sorry-hahaha-I'm sorry really!" the girl managed out between her fits of laughter and giggles "I don't mean to laugh I-I swear! Haha"
She swears she didn't mean to laugh yet she did-and still was for that matter. Toboe pointed this out and when he did the young girl apologized again and finally seem to calm herself just a bit. Reinas laugh became a few light chuckled until she could finally stop herself with a light sigh.
"I'm sorry" she apologized again "I didn't mean to laugh… it's just…" Reina flashed a pretty smile Toboes way "Cole said almost exactly the same thing to me once"
"He… He did?" Toboe blinked in surprise forgetting his anger from earlier
"Mhm" Reina nodded her head "back when I was little…a little while after Kurios burned to the ground" pulling up her knees to her chest and hugging her legs, the girls usually hopeful and cheerful face melted away before Toboes eyes. What remained was blank face and sad green eyes "Truthfully…I think you're right. I'm human, I don't have any right to enter paradise-not baring the sins of humanity like all human do but when I say things like that Cole would get upset and say something like that to me. He swears that humans can repent the sins of humanity and return to their wolfish nature, he believes with all his heart that when we find paradise I'll be able to join him but…" Reinas green eyes dulled and she glanced away from Toboe.
"…but you don't?" the pup finished the girls' sentence and she nodded
"I never have" the blunt honesty in little Reinas word startled Toboe. Reina put on a strong front that was for sure.
"Then why keep going?" the question formed in the copper pups head and came to his mouth before he could think to stop it. "…I mean" Toboe shifted a bit when Reina turned her gaze back to him and offered a look of curiosity "If you think you're not cut out for it…why keep going?"
"Because Cole deserves to go to paradise" Reina didn't hesitate to answer and despite her sad gaze Toboe could have sworn there was a hint of peace in her demeanor "And as the servant of the wolf it's my duty to make sure that he makes it home" Her lips curved into a smile that made Toboe flush a bright scarlet red "Even if I have to stand at the edge and watch him enter, I'll make sure Cole gets there"
Toboe and Reina didn't talk anymore after that. The pair simply sat in silence staring up at the pale, red moon until Reina decided to call it a night and went to bed leaving Toboe alone with his thoughts.
He certainly had a lot to think about.
There were so many things he was uncertain of now like if they'd ever find Kiba or Mahina and what would happen if they didn't. Right now it seemed like that only one determined to keep searching was Tsume- a fact that would have sent Mahi in tears laughing. Hige had already made his decision known and Toboe…well Toboe…
"…" the pup fell into silence when he stopped to think about what he should do.
Then he thought of Reina again, this human girl who traveled peacefully with a wolf. The young human who believed in a place she thought she could never enter but still struggled to reach simply because her wolf company could. Of any creature existing now Toboe could think of no other more deserving of paradise than young Reina Lumeria.
Reina deserved to reach paradise…but did Toboe?
For most of the night the young pup sat in that same place and thought long and hard about the journey so far and his place in it. By the time Toboe had come to a decision as to his own path from here on out the sun had broken from the horizon and Toboe found himself being greeted by Ike.
"It's time for us to go" Tsume appeared behind Ike with Hige close behind and his words stopped any conversation Toboe might have thought to have with the human.
"You're leaving?" Ike turned to face the grey wolf "already?"
"We're looking for a friend of ours" Tsume explained with a nod of his head "but we can't pick up his scent… do you know what's beyond those mountains?" the male turned his gaze southward and Ike follow his gaze.
"A dangerous land" the human declared "no one goes there"
"So it's a place no one else would be able to find huh?" Tsume muttered to himself
"A place like that definitely sounds like Kibas style" Hige chimed in with a less than interested look on his face.
"I'll show you the way" Ike offered "Let's go"
The travel from the camp to the path leading towards the southern mountains wasn't particularly long so it didn't take the group very long to get to it. They came across Cole and Reina on their way who ended up tagging along to wish them a safe journey and luck in finding who they were looking for.
Before Toboe knew it Ike had stopped his horse- in turn stopping the group- and pointed ahead.
"Beyond those rocks is a land called the Deserts Bones" explained Ike
"Why the Deserts bones?" Tsume asked the obvious
"The earth is so parched even the sand has left it" answered Ike as he turned his gaze towards the group behind him "but they say anyone who goes in experiences true happiness"
"Why the hell would you find happiness in a desert?" Toboe heard Hige snort to the left of him to the point that the pup could feel the ember wolf rolling his eyes.
"The spirits tell us there a patch of grass that's been growing out there for thousands of years. Anyone who rest beneath it is guided to the garden of eternity"
"Garden of Eternity…" Reina spoke up softly earning a curious glance from Toboe
From her place Reina looked to be in a daze. Her usually bright eyes were glazed over much like Toboe had seen the other night indicating that the young girl wasn't looking at anything and-to some extent- was not mentally present with them. A place that one could experience true happiness in… did that spark the same ideas Toboe was beginning to come up with in Reina too?
It did sound like something close to…
"Do you think that could be paradise?" the pup turned his gaze back to Ike who could do nothing but shrug in response.
"I don't know" he answered "no one who has gone has ever returned so we don't know what the place is like"
"…I see…" Toboe lowered his gaze. Uncertainty, this wasn't a new theme the group had stumbled upon suddenly. In fact, as Toboe recalled his night of deep thinking, this whole journey seemed to be built around the word.
There was uncertainty of Cheza and paradise and weather risking their lives for it was worth it at all. One more uncertainty surely couldn't make any difference and yet they very thought of it made Toboe frown. Why? Toboe know why. It was because with all those obstacles and doubt there had been Kiba to push everyone to keep going or Mahina to ease their doubts.
But Kiba was missing now and Mahina was…
Now it was up to Toboe to decided what he would make of the situation and the way that he saw it he stood at a fork in the road and was faced with a very important decision to make. Mahina wasn't here to guide him through it; Toboe- in that instant- was alone in his choice.
"Why don't you all stay here and live with our tribe?" Ike suggested
"I'm afraid we can't do that" Tsume didn't hesitate to decline the offer "you see, our friend was the one looking for paradise"
"I see…"
"I pray for you safe passage through fields of strife and doubt" Reina mused bringing her hands together and lowering her head in prayer "may we meet again in paradise"
"…" Toboe watched the black haired girl with a barely contained look of pain on his face. She knew it was a lie, she knew all of it was a lie and yet she still smiled so brightly. It was enough to finalize the copper wolfs decision.
"Let's go" Tsume decided after taking a moment to quietly observe the girl. He turned on his heel and began the slow track up the hill leading to the Deserts Bones with Hige in toe but Toboe felt rooted to the ground under his feet.
"I…" he barely found his voice "I'm… not going… I… I want to stay here" his voice was soft, small, barely audible but everyone heard it and it made Tsume stop. Hige looked back at Toboe in disbelief and when Tsume finally looked back the pup almost couldn't bring himself to meet his eyes. Instead Toboe settled for staring at his own feet.
"…Toboe…"
"You're gonna stay here huh?" Tsume didn't sound surprised in the least bit "So that means you don't want to be with us anymore?"
"…yea…" Toboe nodded, he had spent all night thinking it over and this was what he had stumbled upon in his thinking "There's something about this place. How Ike and his people live… that's paradise to me"
"Are you sure?" Tsume questioned
"…"
"Toboe" Tsume spoke the pups name firmly in hopes of getting the runt to look at him "is this what you want?"
"…" Toboe clenched his hands into fist at his sides and continued to stare hard at his shoes. He couldn't look Tsume in the eyes; if he did he'd change his mind.
"…Well…" Tsume finally spoke up after a long pause between them "if it's really what you've decided than it's okay with me kid"
"H-Hey!" Hige barked out as Tsume turned back around and continued on his way.
"Take care of yourself" Tsume called over his shoulder never slowing down of stopping.
"…" Toboe watched as Hige gave him a couple of hesitant looks but slowly trailed after the grey wolf. Toboe wasn't all that surprised that Tsume didn't try to talk him into coming along. After all, Tsume had considered Toboe to be a pest since they first met why would that change now?
"…Toboe…" Reina was the one to break Toboe out of his thoughts as he watched the two remaining members of his now former pack grow smaller in the distance. The girl stepped into view, her green eyes looking Toboe over carefully and curiously "Toboe are you… are you-"
"…" Toboe turned away from the girl before she could finish her sentence. Making an about face the copper wolf made his way down the hill back to came wordlessly.
"Are… you sure?"
While Cole and Ike decided it was best not to bother Toboe Reina seemed to have other ideas. Even though he had decided to sit quietly on his own and think over his choice Reina was quick to seek him out.
"…" Toboe looked up at the girl who leaned forward to get a better look at his face "Reina…"
"About not going to paradise I mean" Reina explained herself as if Toboe didn't understand the question.
"I'm sure" Toboe smiled faintly watching the young girl lower herself to the ground beside him "I don't really have what it takes"
"Does anyone every really have what it takes?" Reina questioned and Toboe couldn't help but chuckle at her words.
"It's no wonder they all think I'm a coward" he remarked "not that it matters anymore" the pup was quick to add when he saw Reina open her mouth to voice what must have been some sort of protest "I'm sure Kiba is alright" Toboe mused on "Mahina too… and it's not like I have to worry about Tsume or Hige"
"But-" Reina tried again but Toboe wouldn't let her.
"I mean all I ever did was hold them back, they don't need that" the pup shook his head "If I'm here I won't get in their way"
"Oh Toboe" Reina sighed from her place "you don't mean that at all" perhaps she was right but Toboe had already made his decision.
"Besides" the pup mused "if I can't see you there… I don't want to go"
"If you can't see me-" for once it was Reinas turn to flash a shade of red and the sight of it caused a smirk to form on Toboes face. The girls porcelain skin reddened at her cheeks and a look of bashfulness came to her face "T-Toboe" she sent him a slight glare when he chuckled at her expense.
"When Cole goes to paradise" Toboe decided suddenly feeling a bit more cheer in him in Reinas presence "I'll stay behind with you… we could make our own paradise here on Earth"
"Make our own paradise?" the red in Reinas cheeks lessened a bit as she gathered what the pup was saying to her.
"I can see it now" Toboe flashed the girl a smile before looking ahead of him "A little cottage out in the middle of a big, green forest by a stream" and just like that Toboe could see it before him.
A humble, little wooden, cottage beside a stream in the middle of a clearing in the woods.
"when the sun is out the leaves glow like magic" he went on painting the image for Reina who now also stared ahead of them "when it sets the whole forest turns a shade of pink and orange… and-"
"And at night the crickets sing…" Reina mused out softly taking Toboe by surprise for a moment before he hummed in acknowledgment "and fireflies dance over the water"
"I'd go out and hunt everyday"
"And I'd cook the best dinners out of everything you catch"
"I'd protect you from anything that tried to hurt you"
"And… we'd lay by the fire during the winter nights…"
"…That'll be nice…" Toboe admitted. As they sat there listing off what their personal paradise would be like the pup could see it all before his eyes. Living with Reina, protecting her and hunting for her. He could see the young girl curled up beside him like how she was with Cole and the thought of spending the rest of his life like that make leaving paradise behind less regretful.
A life with a human like Reina… that was paradise for Toboe.
"It's a promise then" Reina agreed moving quick to close the distance between the two of them and planted a firm kiss on the pups cheek. Toboe blinked in surprise bringing his hand to the cheek and flashing bright red when he fully realized what the girl had done.
"R-Reina!" the pup stammered out.
"To live together with you… in our own little paradise." Reina wasn't effected by her actions as Toboe was, she pushed herself up to her feet and gazed down at Toboe with a smile that didn't quiet reach her eyes "I…I can't wait"
"…" Toboe found himself speechless under Reinas smile. It was as if she knew something she wasn't letting onto.
But whatever it was Toboe never got the chance to question Reina about it. Suddenly the pup was hit with a bad feeling in his gut and when a breeze brushed past the both of them and Toboe caught a scent he tensed.
"What is it?" Reina had no trouble reading Toboes expression and figured out something was up "do you sense something?"
"It's coming from where Tsume and Hige went" Toboe replied pushing himself to his feet and moving so he stood beside Reina looking south "Something's most definitely wrong… I think it might be them…"
"You mean the people who attacked the dogs?"
"And attacked us too" Toboe nodded
"…" Reina bit down on her bottom lip locking eyes with Toboe for a moment before looking south again "…you should go" she said finally
"Go?" echoed Toboe
"They're your friends aren't they?" Reina questioned shooting the pup a look "you have to help them; I'll be fine-go!"
So Toboe went.
Leaping off the ledge where he and Reina had been, Toboe raced off south where Tsume and Hige had gone. It was a matter of time before the sounds of gunshots and laser blast reached his ears as well as growling and loud barking. By the time Toboe had gotten to the desert plains a battle between everyone and the invading humans had already climaxed and settling down and as Toboe neared the scene he couldn't help but wish he had been there sooner to see the fight.
Both Ike and Cole had gotten there first and while Ike sat atop his horse with a gun in hand Cole stood among Tsume and Hige with teeth bared and snarling at what looked to be the last two humans standing.
But that wasn't the startling point.
What really surprised Toboe was that they somehow had the humans outnumbered- surrounded actually. Everywhere Toboe looked there were wolves of all ages and sizes either standing in an offensive position or slowly pacing back and forth eyeing the humans as if they were food.
"What's going on here?" Toboe sputtered out the question slowing to a stop beside Hige and looking to the chubby male for answers "Who are all these wolves?"
"…" Hige didn't answer Toboe; he didn't even make a sound that he knew the pup was there. The ember wolf stood stiff with mouth gaping open and eyes wide.
"What is it?" questioned Toboe when he saw that Tsume too held a similar expression. When neither gave Toboe an answer the pup decided to simply follow their gaze.
Among the large pack of unknown wolves only one stood in their human shift. A female judging by their slender frame; the she-wolf dawned worn-out looking tennis shoes and jean shorts that reached her mid-thighs. A gray jacket covered her torso with sleeves rolled up to her forearms and her short, boyishly cut, black hair danced in the light breeze that brushed across the land. She looked like no one Toboe knew but when the wind carried her scent towards him and the pup caught that faint, sweet smell of Lunar Flower there simply was no mistaking it.
"…it can't be…" Toboe choked out.
The female must have heard him speak because she slowly turned her head and looked over her shoulder at him. Three long slashes mare her left cheek in what would defiantly turn into scars that reached up past her eyes.
Her eye.
Her gaze.
Those intense crimson eyes.
"…" as the female turned fully to look at Toboe the pup could understand why both Hige and Tsume were left speechless and gaping like fish. Toboe almost couldn't find the words. She looked so different but there was no mistaking the scent. This most defiantly was…
"…Mahina…"