I see many people adding the story as their favorites and I appreciate this guys! Thank you. I have a startling lack of reviews however but I suppose no news is good news. I just hope you guys like it. Hope I fixed up the story with people talking and such. I have it all neat on my computer and it messes up when I post it here. Going through it and editing!

Disclaimer- I no own this.

4- Make everything clear

He was lonely. That he knew and it was a clear as a cloudless day. His pack was gone, moved on and left him behind in his self-doubt. He couldn't smell anyone near by and his ears dropped with his depression. He didn't want to be alone tonight. Where had his pack mates gone off to?

He padded through the snow, his tail slightly between his legs as he sniffed the ground. He hoped he would pick up the trail of his pack but he smelt nothing but snow and the crisp night air. He never thought his pack would abandon him as they had. The very thought sent another wave of depression through his frame.

"Vilkas…."

It was soft and faint but he picked it up instantly. The sound made Vilkas' ears perk up. Had he heard right?

"….Vilkas…."

There it was again! He knew this voice! An image of the smiling redhead flashed before him and his tail began wagging. Vincent was still here! Vincent was waiting for him!

He put his nose to the ground and tried to pick up the scent. There! He found it but it was faint. He dashed on all fours to the source before he lost it. He couldn't loose this! He needed this! His blood was pumping as he dashed through the snowy brush and frostbitten shrubbery. It was stronger now. He was closer! He let out a pleased happy bark as if to tell Vincent to wait for him. Vilkas' heart hammered in his chest as he got closer and closer. He bolted out of the shrubs and into the clearing where the scent was strongest. The air was thick with the smell…his smell. The scent of fire was all around him, filling his senses and leaving him with an air of contentment. Vincent's smell…

"Vilkas."

His ears perked again and he whipped around to face the voice. Vincent stood a few feet away, his visage almost obscured by trees and other plant life. The mage smiled, although it was a bit sad for Vilkas' liking. He pushed away from the tree he was resting against and turned around. With one last glance over his shoulder, he began walking away. He was leaving?

Vilkas wanted to follow but he found he couldn't move. He looked down to see that roots from the trees had sprung up from the ground and had ensnared him. He whimpered and whined as he struggles to break free from the brambles. He grasped a large gnarled root between his teeth and ripped it away. It cut into his mouth painfully but he did not care. He needed to go after Vincent! He could not be alone again! It was getting darker and the scent was fading fast A sudden scream pierced the darkness, making Vilkas' heart race. That sounded like Vincent! He let out a growl of frustration and ripped the roots off one by one and as soon as he was free, he resumed the chase.

He ran faster then he ever had in his entire life. Vincent was in danger! He had to save him! He ran and ran for what seemed like hours… Finally, the scent became strong again and he caught sight of the mage. His back was turned but he wasn't moving. Vilkas barked in relief. He's waiting for me again…Gods be praised. . He let out a pleased yelp as he caught up with him. His quarry had stopped running. Now he could relax. As he dashed out into the new clearing with the redhead, he almost slipped in a foreign substance. A new smell suddenly assaulted him and made him recoil.

It was blood. Very fresh blood.

The ground was covered, staining the fresh snow a dark red color. He looked to Vincent and let out a worried bark. Please be okay! Please do not be hurt! The blood pooled around the mage and stained his pastel cloak an ugly brownish-red color. He could hear Vincent coughing in a raspy way that didn't sound too healthy. He drew closer…a bit wary now but still incredibly worried. He let out a soft whine to try to get Vincent's attention.

Vincent turned and instead of that pretty smile that Vilkas had been waiting for, he was greeted with a sight most foul. Blood was pouring from Vincent's mouth as he coughed and choked. The stream seemed endless as it poured down his chin and neck before vanishing into his tunic and vest. His tunic was stained the color of his hair and his ski had a sickly clammy look to it. He extended a gloved hand toward Vilkas and stumbled a few steps closer.

Vilkas found that he was suddenly a man again and reached out to grasp the mage. Vincent collapsed against him, all the strength seemingly drained from his small frame. The grip Vincent had on him was weak and Vilkas knew all too well it was the grip of a dying man. He held Vincent's face in his hands, feeling helpless to stop what was happening to him.

"…no." He whispered as he stared into the dying man's eyes. "Don't leave me too… Don't go!"

He watched those lips stained with blood open and gasp in air, desperately trying to breathe but erupt into another coughing fit as nothing but blood flowed. He wanted to shake him, to throttle him, anything to stop this from happening! He pressed their foreheads together and grit his teeth at how cold Vincent's skin felt.

"Vincent! VINCENT!"

"…come….for…."

"W-what?" Vilkas stared into the light that was fading from those copper eyes. "Tell me! Speak to me!"

Vincent erupted into another coughing fit but grabbed hold of Vilkas' body tightly. He put his bloody lips to Vilkas' ear and in a raspy voice, managed to whisper… "He's….come…for…me…"

Vilkas suddenly felt the chill of magic brush up against his spine and he let out a scream as sudden pain exploded into his back. He grit his teeth against the corrosive pain but he felt his vision swim. He gripped the red head tightly although he no longer felt life stir within him and his vision spun as he collapsed to the blood covered ground atop Vincent.

This is it, he told himself silently. He didn't have the will to hold himself up anymore and rested his cheek upon that crimson red hair as his lifeblood poured from his back. He nuzzled Vincent's limp red hair weakly but didn't expect any kind of response. He knew Vincent was dead. His breathing had stopped and his heart was stilled. There was no subtle twitch of his body… no sudden intake of breath…no nothing and the revelation of the mages' death left him feeling hollow but strangely, not alone...He knew he would follow him to the afterlife soon. With the last of his strength, he clung to the mages' corpse and for the first time in a long time, he cried.

"Vilkas."

His eyes cracked open and he instantly groaned. A dream…His sleep was never peaceful due to his beast blood…but that…that was criminal. He rolled on his side, trying to get his bearings as he glanced up at the one who woke him.

Kodlak smiled as he sat in the chair in Vilkas' room as if he had every reason in the world to be sitting there. Vilkas rubbed his eyes and sat upright.

"Good morning, Vilkas."

"Kodlak?"

"Aye. By the look of how you were thrashing in your sleep, you must have been having one hell of a dream."

Vilkas was about to scold the old man for watching him sleep but a sudden pang of fear halted him. He bolted to his feet in panic but Kodlak remained seated and watched him calmly.

"Relax, Vilkas."

"Where is Vincent!"

Kodlak tilted his head to the side. "He is with your brother. I had Skjor assign them a mission together. It is Vincent's proving test. If he passes, he'll be made a full companion."

"Anything dangerous?"

Kodlak smiled, apparently finding Vilkas' panic, endearing. "Everything we do is dangerous Vilkas. You know this."

"That's not…" Vilkas paced like a caged animal. "That's not what I meant."

"Relax, Vilkas. You are far too fiery for your own good. Farkas is with Vincent so I am sure he is perfectly fine."

"Right…" Vilkas bit his bottom lip, his pacing resuming.

"Vilkas…I had no idea you were so concerned about Vincent. I had no idea you liked him so much."

That made Vilkas stop pacing instantly. "Excuse me?"

Kodlak smiled as if nothing about that statement was so horribly wrong. "You heard me, boy. You seem very worried about him. From the rough start the two of you had, I assumed you were still cross with him. I am glad to see you must have made up."

He opened his mouth then instantly shut it again. Why WAS he so concerned about Vincent? Yeah, the dream had been scary and somewhat confusing but now he was awake. He didn't like Vincent, hell he could barely stand the guy! So, why did he care so much. His dream played back in his mind and he growled again. He was so frustrated and confused to the point of wanting to scream but he wouldn't do so in front of Kodlak. He'd already laid his soul bare in front of the old man too many times and he didn't need to do so now.

"It makes me glad…" Kodlak continued. "…to see you two getting along. I know Vincent will bring honor to the companions and it warms me to know you accept him."

Vilkas almost rained on the old man's parade but he choose not to when he saw how happy he seemed to be. So, Vilkas just sighed and collected his armor off the stand. "How early is it?"

"It's getting closer to mid-day now."

Vilkas spun fully around, dropping his breastplate in the process. "What?"

Kodlak laughed. "No one had the heart to wake you boy."

"I wish they had." he grumbled and retrieved his fallen breastplate. "I had a horrible nightmare."

"Do you want to talk about it Vilkas? You know I'm willing to listen."

Vilkas almost said yes…Talking about his worries with Kodlak usually made him feel better…but he wasn't willing this time. He needed to try to figure out what this dream meant to him and the purpose of Vincent being in it….and this…he needed to do alone.

"No…No thank you Kodlak. It was just a stupid nightmare. Nothing more."

"I see."

"I better get ready then. Thank you for waking me." he donned the rest of his armor and quickly applied his war paint before grabbing his sword off it's stand and heading for the door.

"Vilkas."

Vilkas stopped before he reached the door. "Yes?"

"Meet me in the courtyard in a few minutes. Farkas and Vincent should be back soon and if they are successful, I'd like your help initiating him in."

"Okay."

"Good. Off you go then." Kodlak spoke as he stood up and dusted himself off. Vilkas wasted no time and stormed out of his bedroom. Kodlak watched him go with a worried sigh. It seems he was not the only one to dream of the mage.

When the noon sun was high in the sky, Farkas and Vincent returned from their mission. Everyone was out to see them back, even Njada. Farkas wore a grin as he approached and Vincent followed slowly in toe. Vilkas noted that the redhead seemed tired…maybe he had not slept well either…that or he was hurt. Vilkas felt his gut twist in a slight knot at the thought but he shoved the feeling aside and replaced his concern with a stone mask of indifference.

"Are you successful?" Kodlak asked Farkas as they approached.

"We were." Farkas held up a fragment of the blade. "Vincent preformed honorably in the field of battle and I can attest to it."

Skjor smiled and took the fragment. Then looked to Kodlak to resume the ceremony.

Vilkas watched Vincent as Kodlak spoke. He wasn't really listening to the old man…it was a speech he had heard tons of times. He scanned the redhead's face for any sign of pain and only found slight discomfort. He was still not sure why he was feeling so concerned for him…that dream must have really gotten to him. I mean, come on… He'd never want to care about the Breton. He was too headstrong. Too cocksure and arrogant. Not to mention he was rude to his betters.

Vilkas tensed as Vincent's eyes rose to meet his and a spark of recognition flared between the two. Copper eyes held steel blue ones and didn't tear away. It was only then that Vilkas had realized the ceremony had ended and mostly everyone had dispersed. His brother was talking quietly to Kodlak and gesturing in their direction.

"Miss me, Vilkas?"

Vilkas almost jumped at the sound of Vincent's voice and he glared down at the smaller man.

"No."

"That's so cold." The redhead rolled his eyes in a way that never failed to aggravate Vilkas.

"You did well as a shield brother then?"

"Naturally."

"You sound sure of yourself…"

"Your brother thought I did well." A small sly smile came to the redhead's lips and it made Vilkas want to slap the expression off his face. He hated how cocky he sounded.

"Did you have to rely on your fancy magic to save your skin?" Vilkas spat out before he could stop himself.

He saw Vincent huff and look quickly to Farkas before looking back at Vilkas. "My magic has done nothing but aid the companions."

"So far." Vilkas finished for him.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Vincent crossed his arms, looking annoyed. Hey, at least that smile was gone.

"Mages can't be trusted. That power you have is too unstable and easily abused."

"You can't be serious."

"I am." Vilkas also crossed his arms and strengthened his glare. "You command power that could enslave men. You can cause great destruction with a wave of the hand and I don't like it."

"My power?" He scoffed. "My power has done nothing bad to you."

"I don't like it." Vilkas repeated with an icy edge to his voice. "It is too dangerous."

Vincent stare felt like it was boring into his very soul and it was starting to make Vilkas uncomfortable. After a long moment, Vincent breathed out and aggravated sound and threw his hands up in defeat. "You damn hypocrite."

Vilkas' eyes widened for a moment. "What are you going on about, mage?"

"Never mind." Vincent waved him off. "Since we are referring to each other in titles now, Knight, I'm done talking to you. I'm getting out of this damn heat now. Bye."

Vilkas had the urge to grip his wrist and pull him back but he just let him go. If he demanded answers, he was sure he'd just be ignored. The thought of that made him even more angry so it was best to just let Vincent go for now. What did he mean by calling him a hypocrite, though…? Vilkas sure as hell didn't use magic…

Farkas put a hand on Vilkas' shoulder and shook him slightly to get his attention. "What?"

"If you were glaring at Vincent any harder, he'd be on fire."

Vilkas snorted and watched the redhead fully retreat inside of Jorrvaskr. Once the door slammed shut, he turned to face Farkas. "I'd have no complaints if he did."

"Vilkas…We have a serious problem."The tone of Farkas' voice made him tense.

"What happened?"

Farkas leaned in but hesitated. Vilkas guessed that Farkas wasn't sure how to say what he was about to say. He really wished he'd just spit it out already."He knows…brother."

"What?"

"Vincent. He knows…about us. About what we are."

Vilkas froze in place. Well…shit.