key: 'wolf speech' / "human speech"

Dead Trees Talking II

Three yelps of fear sounded when the gray wolf caught the overgrown beetle on reflex; the insect squirmed and the shrill buzzing it gave off only grew louder the more it squirmed. The oldest of the pack glanced at both the pup and his sister who had calmed when the bug was caught, refraining from slapping his forehead when said she-wolf poked her head from behind her mate's left arm.

"What's with you?" Said wolf wondered curiously as she sent a guarded but annoyed scowl at the ensnared beetle, looking at the younger she-wolf who had also ducked behind him as she was closer.

The gray wolf rolled his eyes and offered leisurely, "She's got a fear of bugs… Kinda traumatized since she was a cub."

"I am not, I just hate them. There's a difference… colossal asshat." She defended despite having flushed embarrassedly when the trio of males simultaneously looked at her, stiffening slightly and clinging to his sleeve when the beetle shrilly buzzed again.

Eri chimed as she came out from behind their alpha, "I just got spooked for a second, that's all. Besides, don't clown Nikki for it, not all of us are as fearless as you, Tsume."

Tsume examined the bug and mused aloud, "I've never seen a bug so big before…" He ignored the dagger-filled scowl from the younger she-wolf as he then offered the beetle to the tan wolf who slightly jumped when he all-but shoved it in his face. "Here, you're usually the one griping about food, right? Chow down." He suggested even though he found the sight of the spooked wolf very amusing.

Hige took a step back and stammered slightly, "E-eh, why should I!?"

"Because you've got the strongest stomach," Toboe snickered.

"Go on," Tsume deadpanned.

"I-I ain't your taster, and why're you giving me orders! You're not the alpha here…" Hige barked before a lightbulb came on and he added, "Hey I know, let's give it to Cheza!" Taking the bug from the other wolf's hand, he zipped to present it to the girl who blinked once in surprise. "You're hungry too, right?" He asked hopefully.

Kiba then smacked the beetle from his hand and slew it in the same instant, giving his friend a look, "Cheza doesn't eat bugs." He said.

Hige pouted, "So what should we feed her, then?"

Cheza offered calmly, "This one doesn't eat anything."

"Nothing? Hang on…" Eri wondered confusedly.

Tsume raised a brow, "I don't think I've seen her eat before."

"This one drinks and basks." Cheza said with a serene smile.

It was Kiba's turn to raise a brow. "'Basks' in what?"

"It's obvious, isn't it? Sunlight." Nikki put in patiently, receiving a nod from their charge, "Maybe too much testosterone does a number on you three's intelligence…" She mused thoughtfully.

Tsume snorted; Hige pouted sulkily at her; Kiba made a face. "Very funny." All three males said simultaneously.

Toboe tilted his head slightly, "What is 'testosterone' anyway?"

"You'll understand when you're bigger," Eri giggled as she patted his shoulder.

::::x x::::

Tsume glanced back at his companions, preferably the pup with the sprained ankle, and he exhaled shortly. This was why they couldn't have nice things…

"He can't even handle a simple forest! Like I said, ya can't take city kids to the woods…" Hige huffed.

Nikki whacked the back of his head reproachfully, "Like you'd last a day without food in your pockets…" She stepped away to gravitate towards the other she-wolf and their leader as they inspected the pup's ankle. "Can you walk, Toboe?" She asked gently even as the pudgy wolf stuck his tongue out behind her.

Toboe nodded, "I think so… Ow!" He winced when trying to right himself only to plop back down on the large root, before the four of them perked up as Cheza came forward and laid her hands on his foot.

"Does that feel good?" Hige asked as he came up to them mostly on curiosity.

Toboe giggled, "Y-yeah! Thanks Cheza." He smiled brightly at the girl.

Kiba allowed a smile before it faltered slightly when the tan wolf asked to be petted too and gave a jittery laugh when she did so; Nikki pinched the bridge of her nose as Eri slapped her forehead.

"Come on Tsume, let Cheza pet you too!" Toboe said lightly as he looked at the gray wolf.

Tsume glanced at them again as Hige gave another jittery laugh and he too pinched the bridge of his nose. He for one was grateful when they continued walking not ten minutes later.

"This forest isn't so bad once you get used to it. There's nothing to fight over and no humans around either… We've got it all to ourselves!" Hige commented.

Toboe smiled and chimed, "And if we get hungry there's plenty of bugs to eat!"

Nikki winced at the idea, "I think I'd sooner chew my leg off…"

"Fat chance!" Hige sniffed even as he too winced at the notion.

Tsume deadpanned, "then you'd better not start whining when we don't share with you."

"I'll say it again, who the hell died and made you alpha?" Hige demanded annoyedly as he stopped to scowl at the other wolf.

Kiba offered patiently, "Neither of us is the leader, Hige; our pack isn't the kind that has one."

Tsume scowled slightly at him, "Then what kind of pack are we?"

"Can we not go at this again…?" Nikki groaned exasperatedly.

Eri pinched the bridge of her nose and chimed, "Must you?"

Toboe piped up, "Come on you guys, does that even matter? Hey I know, when we all make it out of here, what's the very first thing you wanna do?" He honestly prayed that the fur wouldn't start flying.

"What do you think?" Hige deadpanned.

"Eat as much as I can." Said Tsume.

Kiba agreed, "Eat and sleep."

Nikki started, "Smack some sense into all three of you morons…"

"… And then pig out." Eri finished, sharing a thoughtful smile with the other she-wolf.

Blushing when his stomach grumbled, Toboe smiled weakly, "I guess you're right…"

"Moron, isn't it obvious?" Hige jibed in slight annoyance.

Eri was the one to backhand him this time, "Don't bully him, he's a pup."

Hige rubbed his head gingerly, "Well he's gotta toughen up somehow, right? Can't keep babying him…"

Tsume felt a vein twitch on his brow and snapped, "Both of you shut it! Making me get a headache…"

"Then stuff some mushrooms in your ears!" Eri returned shortly.

"Oh I'll find somewhere to stuff them…" Tsume vowed annoyedly as they glared at each other.

Nikki groaned again, "not even married and you're arguin' like it…"

"Cheza!" The five perked up at the sixth wolf's outburst and looked to see him catch the girl who had collapsed, gently lowering her to the ground. "Are you alright?" He asked concernedly.

She nodded and said tiredly, "This one is fine." Her answer didn't make any of the wolves feel at ease, especially the chosen duo.

"A bird!" Hige declared, earning everyone's attention as he stared off at where he had seen the elusive bird.

Tsume frowned and said dismissively, "It's the Forest of Death, you're probably seeing things…"

Hige shook his head, "No, I swear that was a bird. I heard wings flapping, which means… we've got meat!" He then took off into the wood.

"Hige come back!" Nikki called, grumbling when he didn't return, "Geez…"

Tsume pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled shortly, "Stay with the girls." He ordered the pup before he took off after the pudgy wolf.

::::x x::::

'Here isn't helping, here isn't helping!' A ghostly voice hooted above, causing the pack to stop and look up at the nearby tree's higher branches to spot a brown owl perched on a low-sitting branch; the raptor studied the wolf pack with glazed-over blue eyes.

"An owl?" Kiba wondered in slight surprise.

Tsume bristled, "Damn thing is back."

'It can't be helped if there is no light, if there is no water… it can't be helped if the Flower is withering!' The owl hooted.

Nikki growled, "What'd you…" She trailed off at recognizing that the owl didn't carry any scent on its person and she gaped slightly, "Wait, you're not seriously…!"

"Wait a second, if that owl lives around here then he probably knows where we can find water!" Toboe piped up as he looked between her and their leader.

Kiba scowled up at the phantom, "Alright tell us, where can we find water?" He asked sharply, bristling when the owl cocked his head once and remained silent. "Do you live in this forest or not!" He snapped.

"Kiba, who are you talking to?" Cheza asked quietly from her place on his back.

"It's an owl, Cheza." Eri answered with an assuring smile to the tired girl.

Nikki clenched her fists on reflex and took a step closer to the tree, "Even if you are what you are, you've got to know if there's any water in this forest, right? Please, she needs water!"

The owl remained silent before he flapped his wings and took off further into the darkened wood, making the wolves shortly give chase. 'Go astray, go astray, good wolves! The answers always lie in confusion!' He hooted, 'You will never find what you're looking for; if the searcher were to find that which is searched for, it would then become an object!' He finally stopped, perching on the branch of a tree that stood just yards shy of a cave's narrow mouth. 'The answer lies within the darkness, within confined spaces! Only those who enter bravely will be rewarded!'

Toboe frowned in confusion, "What's that mean?"

"Crazy-feathers wants us to go in the cave…" Hige explained blandly, perking up when their leader strode ahead into the cave, stepping forward to stop him, "Hey, hang on! You're really going in there? What if there's no water; this whole idea sucks." He asked incredulously.

Kiba glared at him, "Unless you can tell me where else to find water, we don't have a choice, Hige!" He ignored the slight step back his friend did at his sharpness before he resumed leading the way inside.

Tsume caught the worried darkening in her blue eyes and he mused more to himself, "Your boyfriend has finally cracked." He reluctantly followed said male with her at his side and Eri, Toboe and Hige taking the rear.

It was what she assumed an hour or so that they came to a fork in the road after having the feeling that they had been going in circles.

"Pretty sure we went left…" The younger she-wolf commented when their alpha turned to the right, looking at him when he almost tripped on a small ledge and swore annoyedly.

"Calm down, will you?" The gray wolf snapped.

The older she-wolf shook her head and offered to ease his mind, "We'll get out soon, okay? Don't get your tail in a knot." She walked ahead, hoping he would actually listen.

A desperate alpha was something that worried her, but she wasn't about to admit it. Not today.

"You're just tired, Kiba, that's all. Want me to carry her?" The pup offered before the fur could fly, coming up to his side.

Their leader turned his irritation on the pup, "Do you think you can carry her, Toboe? Answer me!" He glared at the uncertain look on the younger wolf's face and added sharply, "I don't need your help."

"Kiba, come on, don't snap at him! He's just trying to help…" Eri chided as she stepped up to the pup's side, stiffening slightly when said wolf turned his glare on her next.

Kiba retorted, "Like I said, I don't need help from any of you, Eri…"

"Would you shut it?" Tsume growled out as he stepped in to defend the she-wolf and pup, briefly catching the stiffness in his sister's back as she remained silent, "We can't trust your nose anymore, can we, if the scent of flowers has screwed it up!"

Kiba glowered at him, arguing, "My nose is fine!"

"Put her down, Kiba." Tsume ordered flatly; it didn't bear repeating for her to know his patience was spent.

"You still don't trust her, Tsume?" Kiba demanded angrily.

"Enough, Kiba." Both males looked at Nikki as she turned to them with sharpened blue eyes. "It's not Tsume we can't trust right now, it's you. We'll get out of here and find water and see the next moonrise, yeah, but we can't go anywhere if you're acting like a jackass… Let us help you." At seeing the glare slowly falter from his handsome face she added softly, "Please."

Kiba recognized the pity in her eyes and quieted, glancing away before looking at her again when feeling her hand on his cheek.

Nikki smiled fondly when he calmed before her ears twitched as the pup stepped on something crunchy, and they simultaneously looked down at what he had stepped on.

"Are those human bones…?" Hige asked curiously as Eri and Toboe took a closer look.

Toboe frowned concernedly, "I think… these are from a bird." A yelp came from him when something sprang up from under the bones and took the form of a giant pillbug that had crawled out and proceeded to latch onto Hige's leg.

"Crap, get rid of it, Hige!" Eri barked as she and Toboe had hurriedly stepped away.

Tsume winced slightly when a sharp yelp of surprise came from his sister who had ducked behind him, watching the tan wolf hurriedly throw the bug off his leg so it hit a nearby boulder.

Shrill screeching rippled in the air as a large number of pillbugs surged out from hiding to encircle the wolves.

"There's millions of them!" Toboe and the girls cried in chorus.

Hearing Cheza yelp when one of the bugs snuck up to bite her back, Nikki yanked it off and stomped on it with both boots, "Kiba, get her out of here!" She barked as she twisted to kick away another pillbug that flew at the pup nearby who was stomping on a bug of his own.

"Kiba!" Tsume called as he had located the high ledge first, catching said wolf's attention before he tossed the girl up to his waiting arms.

Kiba ducked in time as she smacked another bug away, straightening as their stares met for a second that felt like hours, before he broke away to slap a stray pillbug from flying at her when she wasn't looking.

Nikki smiled wryly at him and whistled sharply to call the four to them, looking up as Tsume dropped to land at her right, as they faced the remainder of the swarm.

Tsume smirked at the impending brawl, "Are wolves gonna lose to a bunch of bugs?"

"At least we both like the scent of flowers." Toboe said lightly.

Hige laughed slightly, "Nicely said, runt."

"I didn't think I'd hate bugs so much, until today." Eri huffed.

"This is so therapeutic," Nikki smiled excitedly.

Kiba shared in her enthusiasm, "Here they come."

::::x x::::

Looking at the ensnared pillbugs that were being gnawed on by the scattered plants, Nikki tilted her head. "I've only heard of these plants, thought they died out years ago…" She mused.

"This one heard them, they said they were hungry." Cheza explained with a weak smile.

Tsume shared in his sister's curiosity, "So they're bug-eating plants…"

"I guess we were saved by Cheza's friends, who knew?" Hige smiled elatedly.

Toboe called back to them from further along the tunnel, "Guys, there's light up ahead; it's a way out!" He took off with Eri shortly at his heels and Hige at the tail.

Tsume surprised both white and black wolves when he lifted the girl into his arms, giving a nod to the lattermost. "Don't take too long." He said, turning to follow the younger wolves out.

Nikki smiled wryly and shook her head as her significant other wiped some blood from his cheek and exhaled. "I think he's starting to like you. He's never done that before." She mused as she looked at him.

"Or he approves… Kinda hard to tell with him." Kiba nodded, earning a soft chuckle, and their eyes met, "Sorry, about earlier." He added quietly as he stepped towards her.

"The mighty alpha shows humility… I think the world really is gonna end." Nikki huffed in surprise, raising a brow when he came closer.

Kiba rolled his eyes and slightly ducked his head to kiss her, smiling when she responded by pulling at his jacket to hold on, raising a hand to curl his fingers in her hair.

Nikki pretended his apologetic kiss didn't make her knees weaken and drew away with a soft sigh, smiling when his lips formed in that crooked way as if she had stumped him again. "You really are cute when you admit I'm right." She mused, stepping away to lead him after their friends.

"That doesn't happen very often…" Kiba hummed as he followed, smiling innocently when she turned on him.

an: also yeah call it nepotism bc i love my otp so much okay. anyway, til next update! :)