...

They both shifted back into their human forms their senses returning to normal. Tsume against all odds looked well. In fact he looked better than the last time they had met. Well fed and without injuries.

Harrison asked his voice rough with emotion at seeing his friend, "How are you, Tsume?"

Tsume didn't answer at first. He simply stared at Harrison like he couldn't believe that he was there. The feeling was mutual. It seemed the damned raven was leading him here all along. A blessing in disguise.

Then he said, "I can't believe it is you. When Kiba said a friend was arriving in the city I thought he had lost his mind. The other wolves we have met. They've been less than hospitable. Especially when they learned what we were searching for."

Him too huh? Harrison felt for his mentor. Things had been rough. So many of their kind had given up hope and tried to make do with what they had. He couldn't live like that. Not when he knew there was something better for them.

Paradise. The dream of all wolves was attainable all they had to do was fight for it. Fight and avoid the humans who wished to use them for their own gains. There were a few good humans. Namely Hubb and Quent.

Harrison wondered what happened to Hubb. Was he still in that town Harrison had left him in? Wait... Had Tsume said Kiba?

"Did you just say Kiba?" He asked excitedly.

Tsume asked tilting his head to the side, "White wolf with amber eyes. You know him?"

Harrison laughed heartily. It was freeing to know the other was okay along with his pack. Blessed Moon how had they all come together like this? Fate. It had to be.

"I'll explain later," said Harrison after he was able to stop laughing, "Let's go see the others first. And then I'll tell you all what happened during my journey. You're never going to believe the story I have to tell."

"It can't be that bad," tried Tsume but he shuddered at the grin Harrison gave him.

...

"So you took your place as head of the clan?" Questioned Hige as they sipped on their warm drinks.

The group were sitting in a warehouse. It seemed they had built a little home here before they decided to move on. There were cushions ragged and old on the ground that were just big enough to sit on. In between them was a small table that had a large area map on it.

Harrison's drink was a watery tea but it was warm and that's what counts. There had been times while they were traveling that he wondered if he would ever feel warm again. This helped some but not much.

Toboe didn't say anything. The pup was staring sullenly into his own cup. What happened to the other boy? Normally he was so chipper.

Tsume caught his gaze and subtly shook his head. The order was clear. Do not ask what happened to Toboe. Harrison had to wonder though. Did it have to do with Toboe's own journey? Did he not get one?

If that happened it was practically unheard of. It was like declaring Toboe wasn't a wolf. That wasn't true but it's how some would see him. Harrison had to wonder if Toboe worried about how he would react. For now he wouldn't comment on it. When Toboe was ready he would come see Harrison. Then they could talk.

Kiba said with a faint smile from where he sat next to a purple haired girl who smelled of lunar flowers, "It's good to see you, Harrison. Or is it Lukas?"

"Just call me Harrison," waved off Harrison, "It'll be easier that way. Especially if you decide to join me with the clan."

The small pack of wolves exchanged looks. They were silent and full of meaning. Harrison felt a pang of loneliness. He once had that ability with them. Things had changed in the short time he had been away on his journey. If he knew how things would change would he have gone?

Honestly yes. The friends he made and the harsh truths he learned made it worth it. Quent had been the light in his life he needed. As the one Harrison imprinted on he took it upon himself to ensure Harrison took care of himself. Gellert was much the same as Quent. Between the two he always had a mother hen at his side.

Kiba asked his smile dropping and an air of seriousness overtaking them, "You want us to join the clan? Why?"

Harrison leaned forward and placed his cup on the table between them. Seriously he answered, "Because we have the same goal. Paradise."

The entire group flinched back from him. Kiba's eyes flashed around checking the room to make sure no one unexpected was inside. Tsume gained his feet and checked the broken window to make sure no one was outside. So, he wasn't the only one being chased. Tsume and the others wouldn't act like this without a reason.

Once they were sure the group was alone Tsume returned to his seat. He growled, "Don't say that word out loud again, Harrison. Things have gotten crazy since we split up. Saying par... That word is dangerous now. People are losing hope."

So it was happening. Even the muggles were noticing that their world was dying. Which meant time was running out and they needed to hurry. Hurry and finish the journey. The only safety would be found in paradise.

Harrison bent his head on apology and said, "I'm sorry I haven't been in civilization since I left Kiba behind. I didn't realize how bad things have gotten. Maybe I should have though."

"What do you mean?"

Harrison caught Tsume's gaze as he declared, "My father," Tsume swore violently, "He has been chasing me apparently. We had a confrontation recently and I have no doubt he will continue to chase me. Chase me until the very end."

Kiba nodded and said in a growling voice, "That man won't give up. He's just like every other human. All he seems is life for himself. Unlike us wolves who seem the protection of pack and clan."

"Well said," growled Tsume his eyes flashing with the wolf.

They looked at Toboe and then Cheza. Toboe snorted but nodded his assent. Cheza's expression didn't change. She just stared at him with a strange look. It was as if she was seeing past him and into what he should be.

Kiba declared, "Then we will go together."

Together.