AN: Wolf81 (slowly peaks head out from behind imprenetrable barricade.) I...is it safe?
Tsume: Yeah. it's safe.
wolf81: Whew. That was a clo...*WHACK*...OWW! DAMN IT TSUME, I THOUGHT YOU SAID IT WAS SAFE!?
Tsume: Well, it serves you right for not updating in 4 months now doesn't it.
Wolf81: Well that doesn't give you the...okay, you got me there.
Tsume: Tch.
Wolf81: Ladies and gents, I know that you are probably more than a little pissed off at me that I havn't updated in a wolf's age (pun intended). I'm not gonna make any excuses. I know ya'll hear all the time that i had to go to school, i picked up extra time at work, i had a death in the family, life got in the way, etc., etc., etc. The truth is, all of those except school is true for me but that's neither here nor there. I finally got another chapter out woohoo! And for all of those who thought I had abandoned this story, don't worry. I know past experience is a cause for worry, (Insert name of fan fic writer who abanded a story just when it was getting good), but the bottom line is that I planned for this to be a three part story and by God, grannies, george, and anybody else, this story will go until it's completion and nothing short of death will stop me. I mean it. I will not ever abandon this story. even if I get no more likes, follows, or reviews, this story will go until it's completion. Now that I got that off my chest, time to go on with the story.
Hige: 'Bout damn time. My stomaches gnawing at my backbone.
Wolf 81: Ha ha ha. You're so punny.
Hige: Well, not my fault that I'm hungry like the wolf. Ah, wait a minute...
Wolf 81: Damn Hige, your puns are the worst ever (he types with inner voice dripping with sarcasm).
Hige: well ladies and gentelmen, (and especially you ladies. Wink, wink, wink), Ima gonna get some food so I'll howl attcha later.
Wolf81: Damn it Porkey, can the puns already! Can we just let people read?
sounds of crashing, things breaking, and faint wheeping.
Tsume: (brushing hands off). Alright, now that that's taken care of, on with the story.
Edit: 9-16-2018. This is not a new chapter. I had to edit this one. I'm working in the new chapter now. Sorry for the 3 year wait. I hope it doesn't happen again. If you want to know the crap ice been through, pm me. Anyway, here's chapter 13 and I will be working on the final chapter to part one. I will then finish co Authoring a story with whitewolfyukistorm, then I will be working on a spyro story. Then I'll come back to this one. That's the plan at least. Anyway, on with the edited chap 13.
He continued moving through the caveran complex as he searched for the one he sought. He was bound and determined to get answers. Some of the things that Hige said just didn't add up. Kiba and Toboe had told him about how he didn't have any memories and about how he knew about the drones in the city. He heard with his own ears about how he knew that the troops that attacked them in the forest was Jagura's the day Kiba and Cheza was taken. How could Hige have such knowledge about Jagura? none of it made any sense and Tsume didn't like when things didn't add up. He didn't like unknown variables and he was gonna get some answers one way or another. Even if he had to beat it out of the pudgy wolf himself. The pack had spent the last few days in the mysterious pack's underground cavern recovering from their wounds that they had received on their journey and from the last fight with the military. Within that time, Tsume hadn't heard nothing about the wolf who had first come to their aid, bringing her pack with her. The last he saw before taking that last soldier out was her knocking Toboe out of the way and eating three bullets. Usually he wouldn't care one way or the other; but, unbeknownst to Tsume, he had undergone a lot of changes in the last month or so. What once was a loaner with alcoholism, a bunch of regrets, and a quickly degrading will to live became a grudging member of a pack, an adventurer towards paradise, and even a big brother towards Toboe. He didn't know why, but he felt an urge, an instinct to protect Toboe. No, not just Toboe. The whole pack. Even the Flower Maiden. Tsume gave a huff at this revelation as he continued to look for Hige. In a strange way, he was worried about the she-wolf that had saved Toboe's life. He felt he owed her for protecting the pup but he couldn't help but notice the four bangles on her right front forleg. The same ones Toboe wears. She also is a two toned brown wolf who looks a lot like Toboe. He couldn't help but think that they were some relation or at least at one time was a part of the same pack. The more Tsume thought about it, the more his head hurt.
Tsume shook the thoughts from his head, coming back to reality to realize that he had entered a main cavern that could easily house hundreds of wolves, not the fourty or fifty of the "Caveran Pack" as he's come to calling them. He looked around as he walked, taking in the interactions of the Caveran Pack. He soon spotted a shaggy brown head amongst the pups as he talked to them. Toboe was right there beside them. They were probably telling stories of their adventures together these past weeks. He could see the saddness that still lingered in Toboe's eyes even though he was interacting with the others and had a smile on his face. Tsume could see that the playful glint that used to be in the pup's eyes was gone, replaced by the dim light of sorrow. As Tsume got closer, he started picking up snippets of the conversation.
"...so there was a bunch of these guys in front of me. Like somewhere between six and ten. They didn't have guns like the other soldiers."
"Why's that," asked a female pup to his left.
"Because these were Elites. They don't like to fight from range. They like to kill their enemies up close and personal with swords.
"Were you scared?" asked another pup further away.
Hige got a solemn expression on his face at that question. "You know, I could lie and say that I felt no fear at all and just annihilated them with no sweat, but that would be a lie. I was so scared I was shaking in my fur. It's one thing to say you're not gonna be scared, but it's quite another to actually face a situation like that and not be. I was terrified. I knew I was gonna die."
Tsume's jaw actually dropped at that statement. Hige was one of the most brash, immature, and annoying people he knew and here he was proving how much he had grown on this journey; not only emotionally, but in maturity also. Tsume shook his head and kept listening.
"So, what happened next?"
"Well, they started advancing on me and the only thing that kept me from running away with my tail tucked between my legs was loyalty to my pack. Yeah, those guys may drive me nuts at times but as far as I'm concerned, we're friends and I would give my life for anyone of them. anyway, I'm getting off track. I got ready to attack and make what I knew was my last stand when all of a sudden, this black blur just flies by me. Before I could react, a light brown blur flies by me on the other side. Next thing I knew, two soldiers fell and I had a wolf on either side of me. I looked left, and there stood that wolf with the white spot over her eye. ...Umm...ahh...
"Shay?" Toboe offered.
"Yeah, that's right. It was Shay." The pups giggled at Hige trying to remember the name. Hige gave a glower and in a mock serious tone, retorted, "Hey, the same woulda happened to you if you was in that situation and had never seen the wolf before. Anyway, I looked to my right, and I saw who that black blur was. At first, I thought I was hallucinating, but then she turned those midnight blue eyes to me and I knew right then that it was one of the missing members of our pack, Blue."
The female pup asked, "Blue's your girlfriend, isn't she?"
"Well," Hige scratched the back of his head nervously, a light colored blush lighting up his cheeks. "I really don't know. We're just taking things kinda slow right now. But I know one thing. Watching her in action is such a beautiful sight to behold. She's like poetry in motion."
The female pup sighed dreamily. "You must be very lucky to have someone like her."
"Yeah, I..." He was interupted by Tsume. "Face it Porkey, you're in love."
Hige glowered at Tsume. "Yeah, so what if I am?"
"Didn't mean nothing by it, just saying. Anyway, you mind if I talk to you a bit.
"Okay." Hey Ru...er, Toboe? Could you watch these guys for a bit?"
"Yeah, sure. No problem Hige."
As Hige got up to go with Tsume, one of the pups piped up, "Hey, Hige?"
"Yeah," Hige asked, turning back around.
"Will you finish the story when you get back?"
Hige smiled and said, "I swear on my tail Shasta. And that's a good promise from me. My tail is one of my best attributes. Besides, a wolf would look funny without a tail now wouldn't he?"
"He he he. He sure would."
Hige gave a laugh and said, "Now mind Toboe while he sits with you guys, alright."
"We will."
Hige turned back to following Tsume while chuckling a bit. "Those pups are just too cute."
"Yeah. You really shocked me Porkey. Didn't think you'd have it in ya to babysit some pups. That's real responsible of ya."
"Well, you know me..."
"Yeah, I know ya."
"Oh, shut up."
Tsume chuckled as they entered one of the side rooms off the main cavern. There were no other wolves around as they were all busy or recovering from the battle. Tsume went to a table in the back and, pulling up a chair, sat down with his feet kicked up on the table. Hige sat across from him. For a while, the two just stared at each other. One was trying to work out what it was he wanted to ask while the other was trying to figure out why he was here. Tsume finally stood up and, taking his leather jacket off, placed it on the back of his chair before sitting down again. He studied the grain in the wood table for a minute before looking up at Hige and started speaking.
"Alright Hige. I need you to be frank with me. In Lowstrom, Toboe said that you knew the drones and what they were capable of just by sound. And in the forest, the day Kiba and Cheza was taken, you knew that those soldiers belonged to Jagura. The last battle we had, you knew that those soldiers you were facing, the ones with the swords; you knew that they were Elites as you called them. Now, the thing is, we know nothing of your past and you have info that no wolf has any right of knowing. Just to be clear, I'm not gonna hurt you, nor am I mad. I just want some answers if I'm gonna keep traveling with you."
Hige put his head in his hand and gave a sigh. He thought about what he should reveal. His memory was just a blank but he kept getting, (visions?, flashes of memory?) Yeah, that sounds right. little flashes. He drew himself out of his thoughts and opened his mouth to answer Tsume.
"I really don't know Tsume." He saw the look on Tsume's face and put his hands up defensively. "No, really. I'm serious. Hear me out." Tsume just kept looking at him, but the fire had dimmed down in his eyes, at least momentarily. Hige continued. "About three days before I ran into Kiba, I woke up in a park with a pounding headache. I saw all of these horrible things go through my head at once. And then, just like that, it was gone. Hell, I didn't even remember my own name. I met this she wolf in that city and wound up helping her. She thought it was funny the way my whiskers twitched whenever I would sniff while tracking, so she started calling me Hige, which means whiskers. I guess it kinda stuck. Anyway, the few things that I have remembered thusfar has been triggured by certain sounds or sights. Thats like the city we were heading towards. I kept getting a strange sense of De-ja-vous. Almost like I had walked that path before. But I can't remember any of it.
"The way it sounds Hige, is that you worked for Jagura."
"What! Are you outta your DAMN MIND! I would never knowingly work for that crazy psychotic bitch! The only way that would be possible is if I was being controlled. I'm a wolf for moons sake. You'd really think I'd work for a human, a Noble of all people?"
Tsume's golden eyes remained fixated on Hige who began to squirm under his scrutiny. Tsume studied the big boned wolf for a few moments before leaning back in his seat. He turned his head to the side and fixed his gaze on the cavern wall for a few moments, deep in thought.
"Tsume, look. I know that we all just got thrown together in this by happenstance and that you have no reason to trust me what-so-ever, but just give me a chance man. I swear, I wont let you guys down. I may not be that good of a fighter, but I will do anything I can for you guys so what do you say, huh?"
Tsume fixed his gaze back on Hige for a few moments before standing up. "I need a drink." And with that, he left a dejected Hige behind.
Astra paced back and forth, her thoughts in a whirl. She kept thinking about when her pack was destroyed. The feeling she kept getting about the white wolf pup just wouldn't stop bugging her. She knew that she shouldn't be letting old memories get to her, but ever since she met this mysterious white wolf, more and more was coming back to her. Stuff she hasn't thought about since she was a pup. Her paws carried her to one cave wall. When she ran out of walking space, she would turn around and walk to the other, lost in thought. on and on like this it went. back and forth. Back and forth. There was something that was nagging at the edge of her mind. Something important. But it just wouldn't come to her. She knew that the injured wolf in the cave with her, the wolf that was in her dreams, and the wolf that had howled to her in the woods was one and the same. She just didn't know what her seeing all of this had to do with her. She also had a feeling it has something to do with what happened to her pack when she was a pup. Finally, she paused in her pacing to look out of the cave mouth at the moon in the sky. For some reason, the moon always calmed her when she was anxious. She sat for a few moments, staring at the moon in a meditative trance. Finally shaking her head, she laid down and tried to get some rest. She knew she was going to need it. Tomorrow, she would hunt so they both could eat. It had been hard enough feeding herself all these years, but it was doubly harder when having a second mouth to feed. espically when the wolf that other mouth belonged to could barely hold his own head upright most of the time, much less eat. She gave a sigh and closed her eyes, slowly letting the world of dreams overcome her.
she opened her eyes to see that she was in the woods. The same snowy, misty woods that she had found herself in when the white wolf had howled to her. She stood there, looking around, trying to find out why she was here again. She perked her ears, hearing the breeze blow through the tree branches. Suddenly, she heard a soft voice on the breeze. A voice that was calling to her by name.
"Astra. This one has been waiting. This one has been waiting for you."
Astra turned in a circle, looking around her in alarm. She sniffed at the air and picked up the faint scent of flowers. She took another careful sniff. No, that wasn't just any flower. It was lunar flower. She perked her ears, listening for the voice again. She waited and after a few moments, she heard it again.
"This one has been waiting for you. This one wanted to meet you in person but was unable to. This one has been captured and taken prisioner by the Noble, Darcia. He plans on using this one to try to open Paradise. But the Paradise that he tries to open will not be pure. The only one who can open Paradise is the chosen wolf. This one asks that you watch over the injured wolf you found. He is the key to helping all wolves reach Paradise. You both are."
"But I don't understand. Who are you? What do you mean we both are? And how do you know me?
"This one knows you because this one is connected to you just like this one is connected to Kiba. The same way Kiba is connected to you and you to him. You were born of the blood of the Flower Maiden and the chozen wolf, Fang from the previous cycle. All along, you were the missing key to Paradise."
Astra stood there for a moment, dumbstruck. How does this mysterious person know all of this? Who is she. And who is...her eyes got big as a memory from her past came back to her. Her and a white wolf pup was playing in a field. She was chasing after him and they were both laughing. Both so care free. She gained on him and then suddenly leapt, soaring through the air. She hit him and they both rolled over and over until they came to a stop. He wound up on his back with her on top. She had her paws on his chest and they just stayed that way, looking into each others eyes. Finally, she looked away from him for a moment, neither one of them moving. she looked back and asked, "Kiba. Will you always stay with me?
He looked up into her lunar eyes with his piercing golden ones and said, "Always. I will never leave you astra. You're my best friend. I've felt a connection to you ever since I first met you." he laughed and said, "and besides. I promised to take you to Paradise, and that's a promise I intended to keep."
She looked down at him with a smile on her face. "Swear to the moon."
"Swear to the moon."
"Swear to the stars."
"Swear to the stars."
"Swear on your pride and soul as a wolf."
"Swear on my pride and soul as a wolf. We will go to Paradise together."
Astra smiled and got off him to help him up. She gave him an affectionate lick on the cheek before leaning her head against his shoulder. "You're the best friend a wolf could ask for."
Astra shook her head. Kiba. No way. No way that the white wolf she found could be the one and the same as her puphood friend. He died when their pack was attacked that night. There is no way that he survived. Right?
"But he did, Astra." Astra gave a startled gasp. She hadn't realized that she had said that last part out loud. The voice continued on. "The both of you have been through horrible things. Have seen horrible things. Both of you have experienced loss. But the one thing that this one knows that you both still possess is an undying courage and determination. You both still have your connection to each other and together, you can achieve great things. Everything you have experience in your lives has been to propare you for the journey ahead. This one believes you can accomplish anything you put your mind to."
"How could he have possibly survived that? And just who are you anyway"
"This one's name is Cheza, the Flower Maiden."
"Flower Maiden?" So Kina wasn't throwing an empty howl after all. "But what about his memories. He lost them. He doesn't even know his name."
"His memories will return overtime. For now, worry about doing what you can to heal him."
"This one needs to rest now. It takes a lot of energy talking over such a great distance. Just remember to rely on your instincts and each other. And remember, you have been blessed by the moon. It has granted you great power. Use that power to help Kiba and to also help others in need. As soon as you can, reunite with the rest of Kiba's pack. You are stronger together than you ever will be apart.
"Wait. What power? How do I use it?"
"Let your instincts guide you. This one must go now and rest. Until we meet again." And with that, everything went black.
A few hours after talking to Hige, Tsume was back in the mess hall with a six pack sitting on the table in front of him. He was working on his second can of beer when Toboe found him. The pup walked up to his table and sat down in front of him, making himself comfortable. Tsume just ignored him as he continued to slowly drink his beer. After a few moments, the pup got an anxious look in his eyes. Tsume, letting out a sigh, sat his beer down and leaned back in his chair. "What do ya want pup?"
Toboe sits there and fidgets in place for a moment and then, looking up at Tsume, said," I need to talk to you about something Tsume."
Tsume rolls his eyes. "I kinda got that notion runt. Spit it out already."
"Well..."
"That's a deep subject Runt. I sure as hell ain't digging it."
Toboe stared at him blankly for a moment with a confused expression on his face. When he saw the slight smirk on Tsume's face, his eyes lit up with recognition. Soon he started laughing. Tsume gave a light chuckle. "I was wandering how long it was gonna take you Runt."
After Toboe stopped his laughing spell, he finally looked at Tsume and asked, "Tsume, how do you know if you fall in love with somebody?"
Tsume gave him an astonished look and said, "Porkey and the half breed pretty much got their noses stuck up each others butts, there a lot of mated pairs running around here, and you just had to come ask the one who couldn't give three quarts of cats piss. Am I understanding you so far?"
Toboe gave an embarrased shrug. "Yeah, I guess."
Tsume leaned back in his chair, thinking. After a moment, he said, "It's about Spot, isn't it?"
"Spot?"
"Yeah, you know. The one who helped you with that cut on your head."
"Oh. her name's Shay, not Spot. and yeah, it does have to do with her. I mean, I've been around female wolves before and I've never had these strange feelings like I'm having around her. I never had these feelings around Blue or anybody else."
Tsume looked at him for a moment, trying to come up with the right things to say, or at least a way to get out of the situation. When nothing came up, he finally said, "I don't know Kid, why're you asking me for anyway?"
"Because I really value your opinion Tsume. I can't ask Hige because he couldn't give me a straight answer if his life depended on it and I would feel awefully weird talking to Blue about it since she's a female and all."
"What does her being a female have to do with anything?"
"I don't know. It would just feel weird."
Tsume gave a sigh. "Well Runt, the only thing I can figure is that you saved each others lives in that battle and there is an old saw that says that friendship, brotherhood, and love are forged in the fires of war or something like that."
"I don't get it Tsume."
Tsume gave a sigh. He seemed to be doing that a lot these days. "What i mean is you had each others backs during the fight. I saw the two of you. You guys made a good team. I also saw the affection she gave you after cleaning you up a bit. Now that means one of two things. She either likes you or she's just overly friendly. The most important thing is to take it slowly. Let a friendship develope between the two of you and get more comfortable around each other. It may very well be love at first sight for you but what about her? It's a two way street. Problem is you won't know until you ask. That's probably the hardest part.
"I don't know if I can do that. It's not just about if she likes me. I mean, that would be good, but I'm trying to figure out these feelings."
"Well Runt, what do you think about when you get those feelings."
"What do you mean?"
I mean, what do you think about her? Is it more primal or do you feel like you want to spend the rest of your life with her? You also got to think. You only just met here about five days ago. You kinda have to get to know somebody before thinking about love, at least most of the time. You also need to figure out if it's love on your part or just instinctual lust. Your hormones are raging right now so it could be hard to tell the difference. Do you understand Toboe?"
"Yeah, I guess so." I just feel like I want to be around her constantly and protect her and make sure she smiles and to let her know that she is loved and never has to be alone."
"You don't think about anything physical do you?" There was a concerned look on Tsume's face as he asked this.
"I don't know what you mean. You mean wrestling or playing in the snow or play fighting?"
"Never mind. You'll find out when you're older. Just give it some time and talk to her when you feel ready.
"Thank you Tsume. I think you answered my question.
"That's good. now take off. I got some stuff I need to think about."
"Okay. Bye Tsume." And with that, Toboe ran off. Tsume continued staring after him even long after he was gone. His thoughts were in a jumble. Hige having a mysterious past and Kiba missing or dead. Tsume continued to sit there, comptemplating the last few weeks. 'okay, let's see. My life, in a nutshell. I was born into a pack and had a loving father and mother. My pack was attacked by humans and they were all slaughtered. somehow, I survived. I wandered aimlessly for a while until I wound up in Lowstrom. One day, I stole from the wrong person. Instead of killing me, he took me in and mentored me. Clutch pretty much became a father figure to me. I worked in his motorcycle shop for five years. even got my own apartment. One day, some assholes attacked us for reasons still unknown. Clutch took a bullet for me. He died when the shop went up in flames. I became an alcoholic to deal with the pain of loss I have experienced all my life. I closed myself off from everyone and everything just so I wouldn't have to feel that pain again. If I stay away from people and don't let anyone get close, Than I won't get hurt. Five years later, I'm out on a ride and run into a crazy ass wolf who is intent on going to Paradise. Then, the next three weeks of my life has been turned inside out. I am no longer the wolf I used to be. Still don't know how I feel about that. So, what do I do now? Kiba's gone. the Flower Maiden's gone. I said that I didn't even want to go on this damn journey. I've been trying like hell to seperate myself from this damn pack of strays. Tch, maybe I can just stay with this pack. yeah right, like that will ever happen. This damn journey is over anyway. Kiba's gone. Cheza's gone. No telling what to do now. I guess maybe I'll jus...' Tsume was interupted from his thoughts when he felt a hand grasp his shoulder.
"Been a long time Tsume."
Tsume turns his head to see the person behind him. His eyes get as big as saucers.
"No way. I...It's not possible."
Astra's eyes shot open. She frantically looks around the cave until her eyes land on Kiba's white form. He was still asleep, chest slowly rising up and down in rhythm to his breathing. She watches him for a few minutes as she shakes off the last dregs of sleep. Her nose immediately gives a sniff to the air trying to find the lunar flower smell. Of course, there wasn't a trace of the scent left. She lays her head back on her paws, lost in thought as she tries to figure out the hidden meaning of her dream. She knew that she was right. This wolf that she helped was the very same as her friend from her pack. They had always had a connection so it would make sense that something would draw her to him. She looks over at Kiba again, seeing little things she didn't even think about without knowing what she does now. Such as, when he sleeps alone, he will either tuck his nose close to his chest or wrap his tail around his nose, just like when he was a pup. He tried that once, but wasn't able to due to his injuries. And that brings up another thing. 'How do I use these so called powers that she claims that I have. She said I can help Kiba. I don't understand. she said the power of the moon is in me. That I have been blessed. I'm starting to think I'm losing my damn mind. The only thing I have been blessed with is a life of Hell. But still, she was right about Kiba. I even see that scar running down the lower part on the back of his right front leg. He got that scar when he fell into a river as a pup and a sharp rock cut him open. So if the voice was right about that, who's to say she wasn't right about other things. I don't know what to do to make these so called powers work but I'll try whatever I have to.' Astra walked over to Kiba and gave him a nudge to his muzzle. His eyes slowly blinked open. He slowly started to make his way up to a sitting position, wincing as his damaged body was moved into a new position. Astra positioned her back under his chest to assist him in sitting up. When he made his way to a sitting position, she moved away from him. He was panting a little bit from pain and his lack of strength.
"Kiba, I just had a strange dream or vision or whatever." Astra's tail was swaying side to side in her nervousness.
"Kiba? Why did you call me that.?"
"Alright, you're not gonna believe this, but let me ask you a question. Have you been having any dreams, maybe about fire. Or two wolf pups maybe?"
As she said this, Kiba got a shocked look on his face. "How do you know this?"
"Because I've had the same dream. The heat from the flames. The smell of blood."
"The sounds of gunfire and bullets whizing through the air," Kiba said, taking over the memory.
"The cries of the pack," said Astra.
"And..." They finish together. "Trying to find my friend."
Kiba looks at her with wide eyes. "You were her. The one from my dreams.
"And you were from my dreams. when we were pups, you told me how we're connected. You don't remember this, but you promised to take me to Paradise."
"Paradise." Kiba sat there in thought for a moment and then looked at Astra. "That word sounds so familiar."
"Kiba." He turned his head at the sound of her voice. "There's a chance that I might be able to help you."
"What do you mean?"
"Lay down and get your weight off your legs." Kiba eyed her for a moment and then slowly laid down until he was partially on his side and partially on his back.. Astra walked over to him and examined his broken forleg. 'Okay Astra,' she thought. 'Use your instincts. supposedly you have some moon power in you so come on girl, get to it.' She stood there, staring at Kiba's injured leg for a while, but no matter how much she concentrated, nothing happened. Kiba finally looked into her eyes and as soon as their eyes locked, she felt her whirling thoughts slow down until she felt a sort of an inner peace. Still looking at Kiba, she felt a surge of energy go through her, almost like adrenaline picking up before a hunt or a fight. She slowly stepped forward and touched her nose to Kiba's leg. She held it there for a moment and concentrated.
"Astra, I don't know what supposed to happen b..." "great moon Astra. You're glowing."
Astra pulled away with a gasp. "I'm what?" You said I'm glowing?"
"Well, you was. Your markings and your eyes were glowing like the moon."
"Well, the voice did say I had some sort of moon blessing."
"What voice?"
"I'll explain later, now let me try again." Astra put her nose against Kiba's leg again, ignoring the painfull flinch he gave at the contact. She concentrated until she felt the power flow through her again. Soon, she saw the bone underneith skin and fur realigning itself until with a pop and a yelp of surprise and pain from Kiba, the bone was reset and healed. Astra was about to pull away when she felt the power continue to draw out of her. almost like being attracted by a magnet, she was stuck to where she was positioned, her body and eyes still glowing with the moons power. The power within her continued making changes to Kiba's body. His ribs started snapping back together, elicting another howl of pain out of him with every pop and crack. His back leg also healed itself and every cut and scrap was no longer there. when the power finally died down and she was no longer glowing, she collapsed to the ground, panting and trying to get her breath back. She looked up and was astounded at the sight before her. instead of the grave injuries she had become used to on the snow white wolf, she saw flawless skin and beautiful snow white fur. Kiba looked himself over with an amazed look on his face before his eyes found Astra again. After getting her breath back, she slowly made her way to her paws. Kiba continued to look upon her with wonder.
"Alright Kiba, try to stand up." Kiba complied and slowly made his way to his paws. He had a look of shock on his face when he realized he was no longer in pain. He paced forward a couple of feet and then spun in a circle and walked a few paces back the other way. He shook himself out and then look at Astra again.
"I don't know what you did, but it seems like i'm all better."
"I didn't recognize that voice, but she told me many things. She said I was born of the mixed blood of the flower maiden and the chozen wolf, Fang. Makes sense now why she said you're important. Kiba means fang. Meaning you're the reincarnation of the original chozen wolf who was supposed to open Paradise."
"This dosesn't make any sense." Kiba said, looking sceptical.
"It's because you have amneisa. When you get your memories back, you'll understand once again."
"Do you know who was speaking to you?"
"I have no idea. All I know is that I smelled lunar flowers. The voice sounded familiar, almost like I had heard it before. I felt a sense of familiarty, if that makes any sense."
"Well, I guess since I'm all better, this is goodbye then, right?"
"Well, I do travel alone." Kiba walks out of the cave with Astra on his heels. Kiba looks off into the distance. "I don't remember anyting so I don't know even which direction to travel in." He looked at Astra with a questioning gaze.
"The closest town is to the west. About two to three days travel. I smelled other wolves near where I found you so maybe, you might be able to meet up with your pack at the next town."
"What is the name of this town."
"Lenings."
"Well Astra, this is goodbye. Thank you, for everything." He walks up to her and gives her a muzzle nuzzle and a lick on the chin. He looks into her eyes for a few moments and then says, "So long Astra, until we meet again." He turns away and starts running in the direction of Lenings. Not far from him, he starts bounding up a rock face that is kinda on an angle, making it more manageable. Astra suddenly feels that inexplicable pull in her heart and soul. Somehow, she appears to be soul bound to this wolf because that tugging is getting harder and harder to resist. She suddenly calls out without meaning to. "Kiba!" He turns to look back at her and it is just like from her dream. Kiba standing there on a rockface with a snowy peak in the background, the last mountain in a range of three. The breeze ruffling his fur. That majestic look in his eyes. Their eyes lock and Astra feels something she hasn't felt in a long time. She felt a sort of peace come over her in the presence of this wolf and the further away he went from her the more she felt that tugging at her soul. Suddenly, she couldn't see herself without being at the side of this wolf. It's like, everything she went through in her life has led to this moment. this wolf was her friend from her puphood and she was really about to let him go off on his own with no memories of his previous life. She suddenly couldn't take it anymore. She ran up to him and bounded up to the ledge he was standing on. She gave him a lick on the chin and said, "I changed my mind. I want to travel with you."
"Astra, are you sure. I don't even know nothing about my past. It could be dangerous."
"I don't care. I would follow you to the ends of the earth and I don't even know why. All I know is that I belong at your side. I will follow you to the ends of the earth Kiba. You will always be able to count on me. I promise."
Kiba looked into her eyes for a few moments and found there that she was telling the truth. He could smell the excitement coming off of her about the journey ahead and knew that she would be a good ally. "I appreciate having you along Astra. I don't know where I'm going or what I'm doing, but hopefully, I'll get my memories back. Until then, I'll trust and rely on you. I really feel like I can trust you. You could have left me for dead but you did everything in your power to help me. I'll forever be in your debt." He looked off into the distance. after a moment he said, "Let's go." And he took off up the cliff face and started running to the west, Astra right beside him, both running toward their destiny's.
Tsume couldn't get over his shock. The biker jacket, same one he was wearing as a matter of fact. The tattoos, the bald head, the handle bar mustache. It was really him but his mind wouldn't accept the shock. There was no way. No way that he was still alive. Even with the burn scars on his face, he still was having trouble registering in his mind that this was the same person. He couldn't get around the fact that Clutch was alive.
"What's the matter pup? You look like you've seen a ghost?" He said with amusement.
"Clutch, is that really you?"
"Yeah, It's really me. But I don't go by Clutch any more. I Just go by my actual name now. So you can call me Koda. And I happen to be the Alpha of this pack of devients."
"How are you even alive?
Koda took a seat across from Tsume "Well, long story short, the blast threw me away from the shop. I was shot and badly burned. My only saving grace is that one of the wolves from this pack happened to be in the city trying to get some food. If she hadn't found me, than I would have been a wolf Barbeque. It just so happens that this particular wolf happened to be the daughter of the Alpha of this pack. She drug me all the way back here and they nursed me back to health. As you can see, there wasn't anything they could do about the burn scars. It wasn't long after that this particular she wolf decided she was going to be my mate and didn't take no for an answer. We had a couple of litters and things were good. Wasn't too long after that her father died. Next thing I know, I'm the alpha. I've been doing the best I could to continue what he started. Trying to rescue other wolves from the clutches of the humans. We found Blue. She had been attacted by a bear. Doss and Shay actually tracked her down. Ever since we brought her back, we've been trying to find the rest of her pack. Finally found them too. After helping driving the humans off, here we are, five days later. From what I here, your alpha's missing and so is the flower maiden."
"I don't know if I would call that dumbass my alpha or not. He's not very bright. He got himself captured by Jagura for petes sake. Would any true alpha have lost the flower maiden?"
"Shit happens. You know that by now."
"Yeah. Speaking of which, Is that she wolf gonna make it. The one who took those bullets for the Runt?"
"Yeah. It was a near thing, but she's gonna make a full recovery as far as we know. That Skyla's one tough girl."
"I think she might be kin to the Runt."
"How do you figure?"
"The bracelets."
"Good point."
Tsume looked at Koda again. "I still can't believe it. Five years. Five damn years I thought you was dead. Your ass was barbeque man. I swear, the last three weeks have been fucking crazy. I'm sitting here, talking to my former mentor who should be six feet under now. How much wierder is this shit gonna get?"
"I don't know bud. We just have to take it one day at a time. Just do the best we can."
"You got that shit right. Well, I'm glad your here man. Still ugly as shit but I'm glad your here. I still can't believe this."
"Well belbelieve it." Koda looked at his watch. "Alright. I got some pack stuff to take care of. And how bout giving the pudgy one some answers and try to be a little nicer to the pup. Those two look up to you like you once did me."
Tsume tipped the can up and drained the last of the beer. "Still do," he said as he cracked open another one. Koda cracked one open as well and they touched the cans together. After taking a sip, tdune out the can down and said, "I'll try. That's all I can promise. I turned into quite a hardass after your "Death." They really messed my head up.
"And I'm sorry about that. If I could have contacted you sooner I would have. It's just tha-" Tsume had put his hand up, cutting him off. "To iu don't owe me any wxplaination man. I'm just happy you're still here."
Koda tipped his can back, draining his beer. "Alright. I'm off. It was good seeing you again. Just remember what I said."
Tsune face him a two finger salute. "I'll try."
Koda nodded. "That's all I ask." And with that, be walked out
Tsume continued sitting there, drinking on his beer. He sure had a lot to think about.