"We're almost at the base of the mountain. We'll find a place to rest for the night when we get down and then set off at first light tomorrow. Hey runt," Tsume turned to call over his shoulder. "How's the leg doing. You seem to be keeping up a lot better now."
"Yeah. It barely bothers me anymore. Thanks for asking." Toboe did seem to be doing better now. He still had a slight limp, but he was walking fine on it. The one on his side had all but healed. He was breathing normal and his ribs had completely healed. "Moonlight sure has amazing healing properties," he commented.
"Hey runt." Hige looked back over his shoulder at Toboe. "What do you want to do when we get to the town."
"I don't know. Find food I guess. I am getting a little bit hungry."
"We'll be hunting later," Tsume commented, keeping his eyes forward as they walked. They continued on for a little while longer and then they reached the bottom of the mountain. Toboe stopped and stared with wide eyes at the beautiful scenery that lay before him. It had been warmer today. The snow had melted, leaving a lush, open meadow before them. Ahead of them, there was a forest that surrounded all sides and met up with the mountain face on either side. "Wow, this meadow is beautiful," Toboe said with an awe filled voice. There was winter and spring flowers everywhere. Most were varieties that could survive the harsh winters and biting cold, but that fact did not diminish their beauty one bit.
Hige took in a deep breath, inhaling the fragerance. He suddenly caught a whiff of something that made his heart jump in his chest. It was the scent of oil and metal. It was also the scent of humans. Human soldiers. Before he could give a warning, they came out of the trees in their mobile carriers and came to a stop. Soldiers dismounted the vehicles and quickly converged on their position, blocking escape routes as they went and surrounded the three wolves.
"Well," Tsume said. "I guess if we have no choice, we'll just have to whoop some of that ass then. Shall we," he said, turning to the others. Hige gave a grin. "Paybacks a bitch." They were both surprised to hear a low growl coming from Toboe. They looked over at him and he was in the ready position, ivory fangs bared, hackles raised. "You took Kiba and Cheza from us. you seperated us from Blue. Now Kiba's dead. You bastards will pay. You will pay with your life!" He continued growling as the soldiers advanced on their position. Tsume and Hige looked at him in concern. They had never seen Toboe so willing to fight like this or so angry. They couldn't think about it now. They had a fight coming up and judging by the look of how many soldiers was sent, it was possibly a fight to the death. Tsume looked at Hige and Toboe again and said, "ARE YOU READY?!" He got growls and nods in reply. Before he could say anything more, a howl came from the distance.
As the soldiers attack the wolves, the she-wolf continued her run down the cliff face. She hit the ground with pounding paws carrying her to the battle. She gave another howl, making sure her pack heard her, and then attacted the first soldier she saw. The soldier aimed his gun at her and fired. She jumped, the rounds smacking the ground harmlessly under her, and twisted her body in mid-air, causing her to barrel roll over the soldier's head. She landed behind him and bit at his ankle, throwing him on the ground. She finished him off by snapping his neck with her fangs. Sensing movement behind her, she jumped in the air, pulling a back flip over the soldier trying to sneak up behind her. As she came down behind him, she landed on him with her chest and front paws, taking him down to his back. She looked up and noticed a grey wolf with a scar on his chest attacking a soldier near her, but he failed to notice the soldier taking aim behind him.
"Look out!" She shoved him out of the way as the soldier fired. She yelped as the bullet grazed her cheek just under her left eye. She jumped the soldier as he fired again, taking him out. She heard a strangled scream behind her and spun around to see the grey wolf taking out a soldier behind her.
"Don't worry about me, just worry about yourself!" he snarled.
"Ungrateful, aren't ya." She retorted.
"LOOK OUT!" they both exclaimed, leaping past each other in opposite directions, taking out a soldier each. They both looked back at the same time, noticing what the other one did. "Thanks." they both said in unison. They both shook their heads and leapt back into battle. The she wolf whirled around, trying to see where she was needed next. She noticed three soldiers menacing a pup. He stood there bravely, teeth bared, growling. One of the soldiers raised his gun, preparing to shoot the pup. The pup leapt to the side, avoiding the bullet, and jumped the soldier. Before he got to him, he was knocked out of the air with the butt of a gun. He hit the ground with a thud, blood poaring out of his head. Just as the soldier was about to finish him off, the she-wolf jumped him from behind, taking him down. She stood between the pup and the remaining soldiers, teeth bared as she stood in protection of the pup. As the pup made his way to his feet, she heard the jingling of bracelets.
Hige snapped at another soldier that had come too close. The wolves were out numbered ten to one and the numbers were starting to have an effect on the fight. Hige's flanks were already dripping blood from the swords each soldier carried. He was lucky he had not been shot yet but he knew it could happen at any moment. He backed off and put some distance between him and the six soldiers he faced. These were what was known as the Elites. They didn't use guns. They wanted to kill wolves up close and personal. Hige was always cautious around Elites. He didn't know how he knew this. Call it instinct or whatever, but he knew that things were going to get bad. The Elites advanced on him and he got ready for the fight of his life when a black blur jumped past him on the right and took out a soldier. A tan blur then jumped by him on the left and took out another one. Next thing he knew, he had two wolves beside him facing down the remaining Elites. He glanced to his right and realized one of the wolves was very familiar looking.
"Blue!?" He couldn't believe it.
"Yes Hige. Catch up later, fight now."
"Yes ma'am." As one, the wolves jumped the Elites, taking them out in short order. The tan wolf who helped them wasn't the only one. There was twelve or so wolves jumping the soldiers, taking them down in short order. He gave another look at Blue before jumping back into the battle, happy that she was alright and was by his side again.
His head jerked up and he let out an involuntary yelp. Astra immediately woke up and looked over at him. He looked outside and noticed that the sun had just went down, the last rays of light shining over the mountains in the background. Night was quickly descending upon them.
"Are you okay?" Astra was looking at him with concern on her face. He Stared at her for a moment, wondering why she was so concerned about him considering when he was better they would part ways. He shook the thoughts away and said, "Yes. I just felt something, that's all."
"What was it. You look like you just lost your best friend."
"I don't know. Something is telling me that something horrible is going to happen. I just don't know what it is." He looked at her and for the first time, she saw a scared look on his face. His injuries, his nightmares, his memory loss. She never saw a change in the stoic expression on his face. But now, he looked positively scared. She didn't know what to make of this. He looked away and took some deep breaths. He still couldn't walk or even stand yet but was able to sit up for short periods of time. After regaining his composure, Kiba looked back at her. He closed his eyes and tried to stop the trembling that assaulted his body. He soon felt a pressure against his neck and shoulder. His eyes snap open and he looks to his side to see that Astra had pressed her muzzle against his neck in comfort. It was then that he smelled a very familiar smell. It was a smell that brought him immeasureable comfort. A floral smell that he thought he should know, but didn't, as well as the smell of pine trees and the slight spicy earthiness of a female wolf. The floral smell for some reason, calmed him and her wolf smell that smelled so familiar bringing him a sense of comfort. He finally allowed himself to relax and rest his muzzle on her neck, returning the contact. After a moment, she drew back and looked him in the eyes with a suprised look on her face. He was so calm now, almost serene. He was the first ot speak.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Just, everything you've done for me. You find a wolf who apparently should be dead and you not only helped me in recovering, but have stayed here with me. Whatever happens in the future, even if I never see you again, I will never forget you." He laid back down and rest his head on his paws. "I should hopefully be better in about another week. You will probably go your own way then. If you left now, I wouldn't blame you. But, when you do leave, just know that you have made an impact in my life and I will never forget you."
Astra was shocked. She had never had anybody say that before or even care about her. It was why she stayed to herself and stayed out of other peoples business. When she finally gathered herself enough to speak, she heard soft snorts coming from the white wolf indicating he was asleep. She snorted to herself. 'If only he knew me.' she thought. She walked over to the cave mouth and sat by the entrance, staring out into the night.
The pup turned to the brown and white she-wolf with a grateful look, barely able to see out of his left eye with the blood running down his face. "Thanks for the help," he said gratefully. She hardly heard what he said though. The bracelets on his right leg had grabbed her attention. 'No way. No way he's still alive. No way he's right in front of me. It's not possible.' She finally came to her senses when The pup jumped at a soldier behind her. She whirled around and saw two others. She shook her head and launched herself back into the fray with a snarl. She would have to get answers later. Right now, lives were on the line and she had to do her part. Gun fire was going off in the distance and she saw Shay and Doss surrounded. The heavyset brown wolf and the gray wolf were rushing to help them. She saw a soldiers fighting with the rest of her pack. She went to help. She was not letting one wolf die. Not today. Not ever again. She would not lose another pack. She bared her teeth, blood dripping off her cheek and flying off her muzzle as she leapt at the nearest soldier. Today, every wolf would go home. She was about to go after another soldier when she saw a black shape fly by her. She turned and saw the black she-wolf Blue, taking out another soldier. She looked back at her and, with a nod, jumped another soldier. The fight continued this way for several hours without either side backing down. several wolves were down with serious injuries and others were getting them out of there.
Toboe turned his attention to another soldier, baring his teeth. He jumped and took him out. There was just too many soldiers. He was barely holding on. His leg was aching like crazy from the still healing bullet wound and he was barely able to stand on it. He looked around and saw a tan she-wolf with a white spot over her eye about to get sneak attacked by a soldier as she was dealing with another one. He ran with every ounce of strength and energy he had left and jumped, biting and clawing at the soldiers back. The soldier went down with a scream of pain. the tan wolf spun around and was about to attack until she noticed Toboe.
"Thanks for the save. Name's Shay."
"Toboe."
"You look pretty hurt. You need to get outta here and join the others."
"I'm fine. I've had worse."
"Nice scar." she said indicating the healed knife wound on his chest.
"Thanks, I'll tell you the story behind it sometime. You'll hate me after I do though." he said thoughtfully. He looked at her and said, "Talk later, fight now. We need to get rid of these guys."
She nodded and then they started working as a team, watching each others backs as they fought the soldiers. It seemed like an eternity went by before all the soldiers was dead. Toboe stood there panting, aching from new wounds as well as old. Blood was dripping off of him and landing at his paws. shay turned and looked at him. "You okay?
"Yeah, I'll live." He tried to sound cool about it but he winced and stumbled when he tried to walk. Shay supported him until he got his balance back. He turned and looked at her. "I'm fine, really. There's others worse off than me that needs you more. Please help them."
Shay looked at him for a moment. Here was a wolf that could barely continue to stand and just told her to go help others. A true, good hearted, self less wolf. She walked over to him and licked him on the cheek. "You truely are a good wolf." He stood there, stunned at the affection. She gently grabbed him by his left ear and tugged. He lowered his head to get away from her teeth, confused at what he was doing. She started to gently clean the cut on his head.
"I said I was good Shay."
She paused her minstrations to reply. "I know, but you're not going to be worth nothing with blood running in your eye. Let me finish up the cut on your head and then I'll help the others, okay."
He slowly nodded his head and lowered it again. He shuddered at the feeling of her tongue rasping across his cut, cleaning the wound. With every pass of her tongue, the pain would slowly ebb away. All too soon, she was finished. She gave him one more lick, this time an affectionate lick on the neck. He shuddered and looked at her curiously. Then she turned around and went to one of the more injured wolves to help. He looked after her in wonder.
The brown and white blue-eyed she-wolf looked around for anymore soldiers and saw that there was none still standing. She sighed with relief that it was all over. She looked around and noticed Doss being tended to by Sheila. He was watching Shay tending to the pup of the pack they just helped and couldn't help but notice the affectionate lick she gave him on his neck before she walked off to help another.
"Hey Doss. You alright man.
"Just fine Skyla. Did you see that.
"Yeah, I did."
"I hope something comes of that. She's needed some kind of good in her life ever since what happened."
"Yeah I know. See ya." And with that she walked off. She was going to report to the Beta when she noticed moonlight glint off of something in one of the trees. She gave a closer look and saw the barrel of a rifle. She followed where it was aimed and saw it was aimed right at the pup. 'Oh no!' she thought
*Thump-thump*
She leaps forward, hoping she has enough time to get to him. Left ear twitches as it picks up the sound of the gun cocking, a bullet being slid home in the breech.
Paws hit the ground.
*Thump-thump*
Another leap forward. Time seemingly slowing down as she tries to cross the distance between her and the pup.
"LOOK OUT!"
Paws hit the ground.
*Thump-thump*
another leap forward. Left ear twitches as it picks up the sound of the trigger being squeezed.
*Thump-thump*
Paws hit the ground.
One more leap. She sees him turn to her with a wide eyed look on his face as he sees her leap towards him. Sailing through the air, turning her body so her shoulder hits him.
*Thump-thump*
She makes contact just as the gun goes off, sending him sprawling to the ground.
TAT-TAT-TAT.
A three round burst. First one hitting her in the right side of her chest dead on. The bullet ripping through her and tearing out her back, just under her shoulder blade. A high pitched yelp of pain escapes her upon impact. The impact throwing off her trajectory, putting her broadside to the other two bullets. The other two hit her in rapid succession. one embedding itself in her left shoulder and the other one hitting right behind her shoulder, sailing through her, and tearing out her other side. She hits the ground with another yelp, rolling several times and coming to a complete stop.
*Thump-thump*
She raises her head up and sees the gray wolf in human form leaping into the tree that the soldier is in. She turns her head and sees the pup getting up off the ground, staring at her with a shocked look on his face. Her head dropped back to the ground, landing in the quickly spreading pool of blood around her. She had done it. She got there in time to save him. To save her little brother.
*Thump-thump*
Her eyes close. Her breathing gets shallow. She may be dying, but she feels better than she has in a long time. Her little brother was alive. It hadn't all been for nothing. Darkness begins to descend upon her and she lifts her lips in a smile
Thump-thump...thump-thump...thump-thump...thump...
-