Kiba opened his eyes. He stared at a clear blue sky. A gentle breeze blew his hair over his face. Kiba sat up. He lay in a grassy field next to the pond. A think tree filled forest stood behind him. Animals called into the air. The bright sun hit Kiba, warming his body.
The pond began glowing. Kiba watched as Tsume surfaced in the pond. He looked around and saw Kiba.
"Tsume!"
"Kiba!" Tsume swan to the edge and crawled out of the pond. He looked around and then looked at Kiba.
"Where are we?" he asked.
"Paradise." Kiba stated.
"It couldn't be." Tsume said. The pond lit up again. Tsume rain to the edge and waited.
"Who's coming?" Kiba asked.
"It should be Blue." Tsume answered.
Kiba ran down to the edge as Blue surfaced in the pond. Tsume and Kiba quickly pulled Blue out of the pond. They laid her on the grass and let rest.
"I wonder where Cheza is." Tsume said.
Kiba looked around. He couldn't smell her anymore. "She's gone."
"But-"
"Hey, Tsume." Toboe attempted to swim to shore.
"Hang on runt." Tsume entered the pond and grabbed Toboe. He pulled him to shore and sat next to him.
"I'm not a runt!" Toboe replied.
Tsume smiled, "Yeah, you're right. You're not a runt anymore." He patted Toboe's head.
Toboe smiled, "So, is this Paradise?"
"Yeah, we made it." Tsume answered.
Hige emerged from the pond, "Holy cow!" He dragged himself out of the water and looked around.
"Let's go check it out." Tsume said. He helped Toboe to his feet.
Kiba lifted Blue into his arms and lead them from the pond. They walked towards the thick forest trees. Birds chirmed musically into the air. Branches broke as animals ran from the wolves.
"This place is amazing." Hige said.
"Does anyone else hear rushing water?" Toboe asked. A loud roaring sound filled their ears. The smell of fresh water filled the air. They walked towards the sound. As they came out of the forest, their eyes landed on a breath taking scene.
A large water fall pored into a stream. The water was calm, and surrounded a small island. The stream was lined by many different flowers. Their beauty made the stream glisten in different colors.
"Amazing."
"Last one in is a runt!" Hige called. He broke into a run, forgetting about his arm.
"You're on!" Toboe chased after him. Both wolves raced down to the street. Toboe dropped to his knees and reached the edge before Hige. He dipped his hands in the water.
"It feel so good." Toboe said. He pulled his hands up and began drinking the water.
"Way to beat me." Hige sat next to Toboe and patted him on the back.
Toboe had leaned farther over the edge. As Hige patted him, Toboe lost his balance and fell into the water. Toboe surfaced quickly.
"Sorry Toboe." Hige said.
"not yet." Toboe began splashing Hige quickly.
"Are we sue Hige's not the kid here?" Tsume asked.
"Not anymore." Kiba answered.
Blue stirred in Kiba's arms. Kiba quickly set her on the ground and waited. Bleu's eyes slowly opened. Her blue eyes were still glazed over. They seemed to search around her, but she couldn't tell if anyone was there.
"Blue." Kiba said.
"Kiba?" Blue managed. Her voice gurgled with blood.
"Don't try to speak. Save you strength." Kiba said.
Blue managed a small laugh. "What strength. I'm…n-not…going t…to m-m-ma-ke…it."
"Hey, don't talk like that." Tsume said.
"You can make. You've already made it into Paradise." Kiba explained.
A smile formed across Blue's face, "No wonder I felt different."
"Well now you know you can get into Paradise." Kiba said.
"Yeah. I…only w-wish…I c-c-could see it. But…I…hear a…water…fall. I can…smell the…flowers. I can sense it's…beautiful." Blue replied. Her breathing worsened.
"Stay with us Blue." Kiba said.
"You've stuck with us this long. You can stay with us." Tsume stated.
Blue closed her eyes and hummed, "I-I'm…sorr-ry…f-for chas-ing…y-you..a-a-all."
Tsume nudged Kiba's shoulder, "She needs water."
Kiba nodded, "Blue, I'm bring you closer to the falls." He gently lifted Blue and set her down next to the falls. He dipped his hands in the water but immediately pulled them out.
"What's wrong?" Tsume asked. Toboe and Hige began howling. Toboe clutched his side. Hige clutched his arm.
Kiba looked at his hands. The gashes slowly healed up. The pain ceased and his hands were fine.
"Hey, my arms healed." Hige said.
"It's the water." Kiba said. He scooped the water into his hands and gently poured it into Blue's mouth.
Blue swallow it easily. But nothing helped. Her breathing slowed and grew even more shallow. And then, her breathing ultimately stopped.
"Blue? Blue! No Blue, don't go!" Kiba yelled.
"Blue no!"
"Blue?" Hige asked.
"Don't leave now, Blue." Toboe said.
Kiba took Blue into his arms, "No Blue. Come back." His eyes filled with tears. Kiba couldn't remember the last time he ever cried. But something gave in and tears fell onto Blue's face.
The sound of wolves filled the air. Their cries carried for miles and miles. To come to paradise, only to die, was painful. Even though Blue had hunted them down, she was still a friend.
A gentle hand touched Kiba's shoulder, "Do not despair." Cheza knelt beside them. She took Blue from Kiba and laid her on the ground. Cheza placed her hands on top of Blue's head. Cheza's head tilted back. Tears fell from her eyes and her scream pierced their ears. Cheza's body was reduced to seeds surrounding Blue.
"The water." Cheza's voice whispered.
Kiba lifted Blue back into his arms and set her into the water. Blue's body sunk from few beneath the water. Minutes seemed to pass with agony. Each one waited intently, hoping for Blue to surface.
"W-Was Cheza's sacrifice for…nothing?" Toboe asked.
No one answered. The still water suddenly rang out with ripples. Blue's head surfaced quickly. She gasped for air. She moved her hair from her eyes and scouted around.
"Blue!" they called.
Blue turned at her name. She smiled, "Waiting on me, are ya?"
"Not anymore!" Hige and Toboe dove back into the water.
Tsume and Kiba sat on the shore, "So, Cheza knew what she was doing."
"Is would appear so." Kiba said. He scooped the water into his hands and spread it on the seeds. The seeds sprouted into Lunar Flowers. The grass was soon overrun with Lunar Flowers.
"Tsume, Kiba, come on in!" Toboe called.
Tsume smiled, "So, we've found paradise. I think three of use have ended our journey."
"What are you talking about?" Kiba asked. Tsume motioned his head behind Kiba. Kiba turned to see Blue walking towards them.
Tsume stood was walked into the water. He waited for a moment as his wound healed and then headed for Hige and Toboe.
Blue shook the water out of her hair and sat next to Kiba. Her scratches, lacerations, gashes, and broken bones, had all been healed. The blood had washed off in the water.
"How're you feeling?" Kiba asked.
"Considering I'm dead, pretty good." Blue answered. She took her jacket off, revealing a black mini skirt and a halter top.
"For a dead wolf, you look pretty good too." Kiba stated.
Blue laughed, "About that, I wanted to thank you. You're one of the first people who I felt really cared about me."
"Blue, is you hadn't tried to get Cheza, we wouldn't have made here in time. And thanks to you, I'm still living." Kiba replied.
"Well, I figured they'd need a leader to guide them to paradise. And since I'm not a member of the pack, I could aford to die." Blue explained.
Kiba couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Blue, weather you're a full wolf or not, you're part of this pack now. And the pack always looks out for one another."
Blue thought about what Kiba had just said.
"If you don't believe me, then someone did, because you are in Paradise remember." Kiba stated.
Blue smiled. She felt Kiba's hand touch her cheek.
"And if you still don't believe me, then believe this." Kiba leaned forward and kissed Blue. He felt her hands grasped his neck.
When they broke apart, Blue smiled more. Her eyes trailed to the stream. Tsume, Toboe, and Hige starred at the two of them wide-eyed. Toboe was blushing furiously. Hige's mouth hung open. Tsume simply starred at them.
Blue had to comment this, "Aw, you guys look jealous."
Kiba burst into laughter at Blue's statement. Tsume and Hige both began laughing uncontrollably at this. Toboe looked at the laughing wolves in confusion. No one noticed Blue slipped into the water.
"So maybe I'm a little jealous of Kiba. So what?" Toboe stated. The other laughed even harder.
Toboe crossed his arms and began pouting. Someone slashed water in his face suddenly. Toboe rugged his eyes and stopped. Blue gently kissed him on the cheek. Toboe blushed even more.
"Now you don't have to be." Blue said. She dove into the water.
Tsume and Kiba laughed at the smaller wolf. Hige's mouth dropped further. Kiba stood and dove into the water. His body ached for a few minutes as it healed completely. Kiba dove under the water and swam through it a few times.
Kiba felt something swim past him. He turned around, but no one was there. He turned again and saw Blue in front of him.
"Something on your mind?" she asked.
Kiba nodded, "I wasn't lying when I said you were part of the pack."
"I know you weren't" Blue replied.
"I also wasn't lying about this." Kiba leaned closer to Blue and kissed her again. He grabbed her back and pulled her closer to him.
Tsume turned to Hige, "You're unusually calm."
Hige shrugged, "I figured it wouldn't last. But at least she's with someone who'll care for her more."
"Big words coming from you." Tsume replied.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hige asked.
"Do you think they'll have cubs?" Toboe asked.
Tsume and Hige were both silent. Tsume pulled Toboe's head away from the scene. Hige started laughing.
"Oh yeah. Don't worry, I'm sure they'll be more cobs very soon. But I'd see Blue knocked up. That can't be pretty a sight. No matter how good looking she is." Hige answered. Something flew through the air and struck Hige in the back of the head.
"Not the smartest thing to say Hige." Tsume said.
"What do you mean?" Hige asked. Tsume pointed to a very angry looking Blue. Her eyes were focused on Hige.
"Nice knowing you Hige." Toboe said. He moved away from Hige.
"Oh come on, Blue. I wasn't serious." Hige pleaded.
"You're right. There's nothing in that skull that could come close to it!" Blue threw another rock at Hige. Hige tried to duck, but it hit him in the face. Hige fell backwards into the water.
"You might want to watch what you say now." Kiba called.
To start alone, but end with a pack, is something I'll never forget. For as long as I can remember, I haven't been in a pack. But I know, now that we're in Paradise, I can be a string leader.
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Tada! I know it seemed a little weak on the descriptions, but I couldn't find some words to go with it. And the ending wasn't exactly hat I wanted. Oh well. R&R