Lost

[stray]

He moved as fast as his four legs could take him;claws dug into the earth and pushed himself forward, the pain in his leg unbearable, but he couldn't stop. Why did that girl seem so familiar? Why did that girl make his heart ache? Why did Stray know, that he had killed her? He stepped on a stone and was sent face first into a summersault, landing on his back as a man.

His body was shaking, both in fear, and the heavy breathing. Stray's wound was leaking blood again, the tall reeds he was laying in were slowly absorbing it into their roots. "What...what's happening...to me?" Stray closed his eyes slowly, sliding his right shoulder out of his jacket. From his blurred peripheral vision he could see his own bone sticking out of his human flesh. His running must've messed with it. Stray was a fast runner, but he had been so scared Stray hadn't realized to what degree he'd furthered his injury.


"Damn it.......damn it..." Stray mumbled with each breath he took. He had run off, leaving poor Miss Shay, Brakenfur, and Firestorm. They would surely hate him now. It was raining, now he realized it. The rain was heavy, but slowly easing up. Stray opened his mouth, not caring if the rain water drowned him slowly. Stray felt sick inside and out.

"I want....God I just want to know what's wrong with me!" Stray screamed into the sky. "Why do I remember her, it seems so long ago, past lives..." Stray opened up his eyes and stared up at the storm. He lifted up his hand and noticed his blood and smeared down onto it. A wolf, was a wolf's only fate to live alone and die alone? He had no pack, he had no human family. Parents, siblings, lovers, was any of that in his favor when he didn't even know which he was. "Am I a man with a wolf for, or a wolf with a man's form. I doubt I"m either, I'm just a damn Stray."

Stray rolled over and pressed his face to the soft earth. I can't be Alan, I can't. I'm not that strong, confident, I don't have it. As much as I want to be it, I can't. It's not fair. It's not fair. I'm tired of running, I'm tired of everything. I just want to dream

[shay]

"Alan!" Shay howled again, her voice cracking from how hard she had been pushing it. She ignored the rain pouring onto her white fur, drenching her from top to bottom. All she cared about was finding Alan. The look on his face passed through his mind again, and panic filled Shay. "Alan!" She howled again, now very desperate. Next to her Brakenfur and Firestorm had there noses pressed to the ground, searching for the boys scent. There noses had gotten them this far, but now the rain was washing the scent away.

After a minute Firestorm lifted his head and started off, Shay and Brakenfur close behind. He's this way, I'm sure of it. Firestorm assured his worried pup, the look in his green eyes soft as he stared at her. She was a bit smaller then both of them, but that just simply made her faster. She nodded her head, then stuck her nose to the ground to try to catch Alan's scent. His wound would be open again, he was going to make it worse. He would be bleeding, and hungry after using up all his energy. He was also probably beating himself up to, for not being brave.

Then Shay scented him, a definite trail in the wet ground. She was off like a rocket, shooting through the tall grass as his scent became stronger and stronger. She almost stepped on him, and had to leap through the air to not land right on him. In a second she was in her human form, tears forming in her eyes as she stared at him. "Alan why in the world did you run." She said shakily, then before she could stop herself she threw herself at him and hugged him tightly around the neck. She sobbed into his neck, she had been so worried about him.

Firestorm and Brakenfur came up more calmly then there pup, though both were panting and looked shaken. What happened. Brakenfur tried to say coolly, staring down at her pup as the girl sobbed into Stray's neck.

[stray]

Someone was calling to him, but the voice seemed far away. His consciousness was running from him too, but just barely he could hear a name. "Alan." Stray tried to focus for a second, a look of pain overtaking his face. He was Alan now, wasn't he? That meant that Shay and the others were calling for him. Stray tried to open his mouth to call for them, but he had no voice left. His wolf was curled up in a ball, both forms pushed beyond their maximum capacity.

The footsteps got closer, the sprints, the sound of the earth rumbling about. Three wolves. Wait, three wolves? His nose twitched slightly, three wolves. Why were there three? Stray moaned slightly, fearing another wolf to judge and see him for his pathetic form. His face was still in the dirt, but he realized he would suffocate if not careful. Slowly he pushed himself over and cried in pain, something inside of him snapping.

Then the air above him moved quickly, a rush from a being's fast momentum. Stray had yet to even open his eyes, his body still quaking as his breathing was slowing back to a normal pattern. "Alan why in the world did you run?" Then Stray felt tears, and she burried her face in his neck and hugged him. A small grunt of pain escaped him, but she managed to put her weight on his good side. This poor girl, he wasn't worth this effort and worry.

"I'm not Alan....." Stray told her gently. As much as Stray wanted to be Alan, he knew he could not, "Not yet...at least." His eyes opened slowly, the saddness in the blue orbs made even those in the skies above look down at him with pity. The rain had stopped, but he didn't really notice it. What happened? Brakenfur and Firestorm had arrived. Stray closed his eyes, not wanting to face such noble creatures he had so thoroughly embarrassed.

What had happened? "I'm...not sure." It was the truth. Stray had no idea who that woman was; the woman with the violet hair and violet eyes. No, her eyes weren't violet, they were red, like blood. Still, the eyes had such a vacancy. It wasn't just her image, it was the wave of emotions it unleashed. There was, such a sorrow, Stray didn't know. He couldn't remember why he knew her, or why the pain. "I saw....a girl. A beautiful girl who...was scared of me." Stray felt a surge of pain run through his body and he almost threw Shay off of him when he squirmed in pain. Oh god did his head hurt. "Ch...Cheza."

[shay]

Shay couldn't stop the tears from flowing as she cried into Stray's neck. He was in so much pain, and once again Shay felt helpless, not knowing how to help him. Now he was very hurt physically, and mentally. "I'm not Alan....."Not yet...at least." Shay really didn't understand what that meant. What did he mean that he was not Alan. He was exactly the same man she had fallen....fallen.....

Stray suddenly started to squirm in pain and Shay through herself off him, tears still falling down her face. She looked at the pain on his face and heard him say a name. "Ch...Cheza." Who was that. Shay glanced up at Firestorm and Brakenfur, who turned to look at her in return. Brakenfur held a very nervous and almost frightened look. But Firestorm's face was unreadable, as always.

See if you can look at his wound. Firestorm said softly. And give him something for headache, I know you have a herb for it. With that he turned and walked away suddenly, disappearing in a instant. Brakenfur and Shay exchanged glances again, but said nothing. They bot knew not to question Firestorm.

Still crying, Shay quickly got her pack that Brakenfur had carried for her. Inside she pulled out the last of the herb for his wound, a herb for headaches, some water and the last of the jerky, which was five pieces. Thinking of Alan, she decided not to tell him it was the last of the food, or knowing him he would not take it. She was hungry, yes, but Brakenfur and Firestorm had never let her starve.

Taking the headache medicine she rolled a piece of jerky in it, a old trick she used to force herself take the nasty stuff. Tears were still falling down her face, and she forcefully tried to wipe them away with one hand. Turning to Alan, she said. 'If your well enough, I need you to eat this. Its got a herb on it, to help with the headache. The stuff taste nasty, but it always helped me in the past." A thought crossed her that Alan's headache and wound were much worse then she had probably ever had. "Its the best I've got."

[stray]

It was like a drum in his mind, this thumping beat that was either his heart or an illusion of his mind. Cheza. The girl's name was Cheza. She was staring him in the face, stroking it, knowing he was a wolf. Why was he so happy to see her, then sad when she screamed. "Ah! Kiba! Stray held his head and brought his legs to his chest, burrowing his head against the soil. This pain, it made him gasp and moan, "Stop it....." Despite this pain, he could hear Shay was fumbling through a bag, while Brakenfur watched with worry on her face. Firestorm had left, possibly furious with him.

'If your well enough, I need you to eat this. Its got a herb on it, to help with the headache. The stuff taste nasty, but it always helped me in the past. Its the best I've got

"Please don't talk to me like what you're offering isn't good enough for me. I'm not royalty, you and your family are the best things anyone has ever offered me," Stray told her between contortions of pain. They offered him food, medicine, but more importantly acceptance. Cheza's scream echoed in his ears and he hit his head against the dirt.

"Stop it...go away....go away!" Stray couldn't help but howl as the wolf inside of him was going crazy. What did she want? Why did Stray feel like he'd know her so well, but still had only that one memory of her. Finally, it stopped. He let go of his head and gasped, a brief look of relief washed over his face.

Shay was crying, Stray could see it now even though he had smelt it earlier. He frowned lightly and reached out, one hand taking the jerky she so desperately wanted him to eat, and the other cuffed the side of her face and wiped away tears. "Please stop crying, please. I can't, I can't stand to see your beautiful face coated with tears Miss Shay, please." He took a bite out of the jerky, hoping it would make her happy. Stray felt ill, like he was going to fall over in a heartbeat. "I'm sorry Firestorm's...mad at me. Do you know, a girl named Cheza? She has violet hair, and blood-red eyes. I....she....or a man...named Kiba?"

[shay]

Shay nuzzled Alan's hand, placing a hand on his. She was happy to see him eating the food. Slowly the tears stopped coming, but the pain was still there. "I'm sorry......Just seeing you like this.....and not being able to do much for you." She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his hand on her face. "I'm sorry Firestorm's...mad at me. Do you know, a girl named Cheza? She has violet hair, and blood-red eyes. I....she....or a man...named Kiba?"

I highly doubt Firestorm is mad at you pup. Brakenfur said coolly. He is just lost in his own thoughts. I'm going to go find him. Neither name ring a bell to me, but Firestorm's traveled much farther then I have, maybe he will know. And with a swish of her tail she was gone, disappearing into the tall grass. Shay finally opened her eyes and sighed, looking at Alan's wound.

"We should clean that up, or your going to get an infection." She reached over and grabbed the herbs for Alan's wound and stood up. But Shay had underestimated how much energy she had lost in her frantic search for Alan. Now that she had found him, her body no longer felt the need to push itself, and was letting the fatigue take over. Half way up Shay felt her legs give out underneath her, and she came crashing down to the ground.

She landed on her shoulder and thumped her head on the ground. The world spun around her as Shay let out a groan of pain. She tried to sit up, but the world spun to much to move, and she was beginning to feel nauseous. She let out another moan as she lay there, Alan momentarily forgotten.

[stray]

When she hit the ground he thought the world had stopped. He couldn't scream for her, he found his voice unable to portray the emotions he felt. Miss Shay was groaning in pain. Frantic, he sat up and crawled over to her, the wound increasing as he struggled towards her. Slowly, after sitting down indian-style, Stray pulled Shay by the underarms so that her head rested in his lap.

"Oh Miss Shay....I'm so sorry....my behavior has caused you to over-exert yourself. Just rest here, okay?" Stray stroked the side of her face as his sad aqua eyes stared down at her. He was frowning, like a puppy looks when being punished. He felt so horrible for all this family was going through for him.

"We don't have to worry about my wound right now. I'm sure once a full moon comes I'll be right back to normal. It always has worked that way." Stray knew that Shay wouldn't agree, she would want to help him. "You helped me first, now I'm helping you, okay? You don't have to feel helpess with what's happening to me. I don't even know what's happening to me. I just want you to rest, please rest."

Stray continued to stroke the side of her face, he bent down and put a ear to her lips so he could listen to her breathing. She wasn't sick, thankfully, just tired. A sigh of relief escaped him. He kissed her forehead gently and continued to watch over her. "Just rest Miss Shay...close your eyes and rest. I promise I won't run away, I'll stay right here." His mangled arm lay limply at his side, he'd lost all feeling in it at this point. Maybe he'd have to remove the limb, it was just part of survival. Stray gazed at the horizon, wondering when Shay's parents would return.

[shay]

Shay starred up at Alan, his form fuzzy as her vision spun. She could make out the concern etched on his face, he was so worried about her. When his lips touched her forehead she felt a tingling sensation spread through her body, ebbing the dizziness away for a moment."Just rest Miss Shay...close your eyes and rest. I promise I won't run away, I'll stay right here." He won't leave, he would stay right here for her.

"Okay.......I'll stay right here and rest, if it will make you feel better." Her voice was hoarse, and took a lot more energy then it used to. She pulled herself closer to Alan, one hand grabbing his shirt, the other coming to rest by her face. The idea of sleeping sound like a good idea, and Shay felt herself close her eyes, and her mind slipped away into darkness.

The air around her was thick with ash and the heat from the flames. Shay could barely see a foot in front of her, the smoke was so thick. She felt a cough rage through her, causing great pain in her small body. She fell to the ground, the wood hot on her skin. Everything was going fuzzy, and she felt her breath go short. She was dying, even at that young of a age, she knew it.

Suddenly, strong, familiar arm grabbed her, lifting her off the hot ground. Voices shouted above her, but Shay couldn't make it out. She felt herself moving in the strong mans arms, and suddenly they were outside. The hot air met with cool night breeze as Shay let out a gasp. She felt herself being dropped to the ground as she struggled for more air, that was all her tiny body could think about.

When she was finally breathing normally, her senses noticed other things. She could smell smoke and ash, the trees outside, the scent of the pack on the air. There was another scent to, a scent she could not place, but a small voice in her head told her it was burning flesh. She picked herself off the ground, and spun round to face the house. There, lit in the flames of the house, were her parents bodies. Charred and black, they sat there like mangled piles.

It didn't seem to hit Shay right away, her child's mind could not comprehend that her family was gone. But then, mournful howls rose from the clearing, splintering the night airs with there pained cry. And slowly, Shay felt tears pour down her face, and sobs racked her body, as she cried her own pain to the night.

Tears were spilling onto Shay's face, egged on by her vision of her parents deaths. The hand holding onto Alan's shirt was clutched tightly as sobs began to run through her body. Even unconscious, that memory tortured her. "No......No!" She felt the words burst through her lips, even though she was still in sleep. She clutched tightly to the warmth which was Alan, scared that it was going to slip away. "No, no don't leave me here!"

[stray]

Stray was starting to freak out when Shay started screaming in her sleep. Her grip on his shirt was like her life depended on it. "Miss SHay, Miss Shay, wake up, wake up!" He didn't know what to do with her, slowly wiping away the tears with his one good arm. Stray knew she wasn't going to wake up, or calm down. Very slowly with his one good arm he pulled her up so that her head rested against the croon of his shoulder. He pulled his mangled arm and physically moved it so it was wrapped around her waist.

He rested his head against the crown of her hair, and with his good hand he rubbed her back soothingly. "Shay...come on Shay...wake up. I'm not going to leave you, I'm going to stay right here until you're better." Stray thought for a minute; what WAS going to happen when he was recovered? Stray didn't know, but for right now he just wanted Miss Shay to be all right again.

"been a long road to follow
been there and gone tomorrow
without saying goodbye to yesterday
are the memories I hold still valid?
or have the tears deluded them?
maybe this time tomorrow
the rain will cease to follow
and the mist will fade into one more today
something somewhere out there keeps calling
am I going home?
will I hear someone singing solace to the silent moon?
zero gravity what's it like?
am I alone?
is somebody there beyond these heavy aching feet
still the road keeps on telling me to go on
something is pulling me
I feel the gravity of it all"

The words fell from his lips in a soft sort of mumble, not enough to be singing, but not to soft to be a hum. As he mumbled this song to her Stray continued to rub her back, looking at the horizon wondering if Brakenfur and FIrestorm would be back soon. It was so strange, how he, the pathetic one, was now taking care of the valiant one. He felt helpless, like she had felt.

"Come now Shay....leave those nightmares behind."

[shay]

Shay continued to sob, trapped once again by the memory of her parents deaths. She could never seem to leave it behind, so she was already trapped by it. But when Alan started to sing, she could here it. Slowly her body began to relax, her crying easing up, when he finished the song, only tears were pooling softly down her face. Then she opened her eyes.

She turned and looked right up at Alan, her blue eyes still foggy from sleep. Alan...... The voice was little more then a whisper, and that was all she could muster up to say. Slowly she felt herself fall back into sleep, but this sleep was a dreamless one. Slowly, she closed her eyes again and rested her head up against him.

How did you do it? Firestorm was sitting a little bit behind Alan, staring at him and the now sleeping Shay. She has had dreams like that before, but it usually takes forever to get her to wake up from one. The completely terrorize her, thats why she gets so little sleep all the time. But you woke her up in minutes, and she was able to go back asleep again. He slowly walked over to them, so he sat beside them both. He stared down at Shay with a odd look in his eye.

She may not look it, but she's just as tortured by her past as you are. Her father was a well known Shapeshifter, but his powers were always trying to be abused by people. People did not understand that it took blood to become a shapeshifter, it could not be taught. But that still did not stop them from trying to force him to teach them anyways. If you look on Shay's back, near the start of her neck, theres a long scar from a sword. A man attacked her at a town when her father refused to teach him Shapeshifting. So he moved them all away. He moved Shay and her mother with him far into the forest, and they stayed there for a couple of years.

He took a deep sigh, his green eyes dancing with the light of a memory, a memory filled with fire. I had not actually been there, but I had seen the flames from the house. Some people who called Alan's work witchcraft came and burned it down. Both Alan and his wife were out, but Shay was still inside. But both went in and got her, to pay for it with there lives. He looked up at Alan, his eyes still burning with that light. You said yourself its what you didn't do, that you didn't save someone. Well, Shay here proves, that being saved is sometimes not the end of it.

With that he stood up again, and cocked his head to the sky. There were still many clouds all around, but a alpha always kept track of the moon. There's a full moon not to far off. He said, staring at the sky. You said you could use one to heal yourself?

[stray]

Stray listened to Firestorm's story very carefully, all the time his hand stroking at Shay's back and his eyes were towards the sky. What a horrible thing fate had done to Miss Shay. It is one thing to lose parents and never know them, it is a completely other story to lose parents and remember so vividly that they had died saving your life. Though it was not necessary, the guilt she felt was probably immeasurable.

"I'm not sure what made her wake up that quickly," Stray told Firestorm honestly, his eyes glancing down at the slumbering girl. "I don't even know where that song came from, but as long as I can remember I've known it. I'd like to be hopeful and say my mother taught it to me, but I feel that isn't the case. It was like, I knew it from a long time ago."

Stray didn't want to look at Shay's scar. He didn't want to see the horrible mark that had been left upon this pure girl. For a minute Stray looked down at his limp arm, he focused on it, but still found that he could no longer move it. Stray feared for paralysis, and how much that would slow him down in the near future. But Stray still continued to listen to Firestorm.

"I know what it's like, to be attacked for being different. At the same time I'll never understand the emotional toll Shay's losses have put on her. I am not a man nor am I a wolf. It is like, I'm the two at the same time, and I feel like I belong with neither species."


You said you could use one to heal yourself?

Stray nodded his head slowly. "A full moon and a body of water," he turned his head to Firestorm and sighed. "I think my being a wolf has to do with the healing properties the moon has on me. Under the full moon the wounds will clear, and hopefully I'll be able to use my arm again. Until that night comes I'll have to stay a human, at least I can run then." Stray looked up at the sky and watched the clouds move by, "Firestorm, Brakenfur said you've traveled a lot; do you know of someone named Kiba or perhaps a blind girl with red eyes and purple hair named Cheza?"

Stray could not help it, asking about Cheza and Kiba. Something told him that those two were important, and that Stray might've brought harm to them. Whatever the reason, Stray wanted to repent for what he might've done.

[shay]

Firestorm thought for a moment, then shook his head sadly. I am sorry, neither name mean anything to me. He gave a sigh, then added. But I have friends in high places, at least in the wolf world. When Shay and you are up for travel again, I'll ask around and call in a few favors, see what I can come up with. He stood up, stretching a little as he did. It was getting late, though the cloudy sky made it look later.

Brakenfur is out hunting, and I am going to join her. He turned to walk back the way he came, then suddenly paused. Alan.....Stray, whoever you are choosing to be. Don't just get up and run away like you did again. I can't stand to see Shay hurt like that again. He didn't look at Alan when he said it, and left the second he was done.

Shay felt warmth, the scent of a body near her. It wasn't a wolf, but it did have the slight scent of one, like two scents mixed together. The arms that held her were strong, yet gentle, able to keep the bad dreams and whatever else away. Shay really liked being in these arms, being with this man. Slowly, she opened her eyes. The world was fuzzy before her, and for a moment all Shay could make out was color. She blinked, and her vision slowly came to focus."Alan......what, what happened? Why was I asleep?" She stared up at Alan, trying to remember how she had gotten here, in his arms.

Arms, wait, hold it. Shay suddenly remembered Alan's injury, and sat bolt up right, almost slamming into Alan's face. "Your injury, your still hurt." She quickly looked at the wound and saw how it had become worse. "Oh no, you had to move it to help me, now its worse. You should have stayed where you were I would have been fine." She felt tears come again as guilt rushed over her, but she was able to hold them back.

She quickly turned and look back at Alan, her midnight blue eyes shinning brightly with all the suppressed tears. "Your getting hurt even worse and its all my fault!"

[stray]

A dead end. Even Firestorm had no idea who the dying girl named Cheza was, or of the name Kiba. Who were they, and why did they plague his thoughts? Stray had hoped so much that FIrestorm would know, and although Firestorm offered his assistance through bureaucracy, Stray felt a little defeated. He nodded his head solomly, taking care as he continued to stroke Shay's back.

Don't just get up and run away like you did again. I can't stand to see Shay hurt like that again

Stray looked away even when Firestorm was long gone. "What have I gotten myself wrapped up in?" A sigh escaped him and he turned his eyes back to the sky. Life seemed like such a blurr before Shay, Firestorm, and Brakenfur. Then her, that little girl came to mind. He winced, a hiss on his lips. It was always his fault, always. He was the useless unwanted "thing". He was no man, nor wolf. He had no stature, no courage, nothing.

He then heard Miss Shay's voice, leaving her peaceful slumber. Before he could really say anything Shay bolted up, causing his paralyzed arm to be wiped away and he cried out in extreme pain. Stray's good arm cradled the bad one, physically pulling the dead limb towards his body. There were suffering tears in his eyes and he hissed in pain until the shock died down.

"Miss Shay, please don't cry," he begged her slowly. Stray didn't know what he could say to make her feel all right. His good hand, trembling, reached out and cuffed the side of her face, running his thumb along her cheek. "Listen to me, it's not your fault. You weren't the one who ran away from help, you weren't the one who's terrified. Shay you're just the opposite, you offered help when no one else would. To be honest, if you and your family had not found me, I most likely would have died."

Stray wrapped his arm back around her waist and pulled her back towards him again, burrying his nose into the back of her neck and her beautiful hair. "You weren't alright, you were exhausted and weak. You needed to rest. As much as you want to save me you have to be healthy yourself to do that. No tears Miss Shay, I can't stand seeing your beautiful eyes filling with them."

Stray looked away from her, back at the sky that now seemed so forlorn and far away. "Firestorm and Brakenfur are hunting now, and Firestorm told me a full moon is only a few days away. I'm sure if I can survive till then my wounds will heal. I won't tell you not to worry, because I doubt you could stop even if you wanted to." He chuckled at that statement and rubbed the side of her arm weakly. "It's not your fault, okay?"

[shay]

"It's not your fault, okay?" Shay stared at Alan, seeing all the loss and confusion now etched on his face. He didn't want her to worry, he didn't want her to feel like she didn't do anything wrong. Just like Midnight had told her, her parents deaths were not her fault. The memory of burning flesh came to her mind, the old memory haunting her. But she pushed it away, Alan needed her now.

She wondered what haunted him, what memories of what he had or hadn't do kept that pained expression on his face. Shay wanted to ask him, wanted him to tell her, so she could make everything all right. But Shay knew from experience that memories did not go away, they haunted you forever.

Slowly she brought one of her hands of and stroked his cheek, giving him a warm smile as she did. "Its okay Alan, I won't cry, I'm okay." Her blue eyes were soft as she stared at him, glinting with a glow that had not been there for a long time. "Your the one that made me okay, your the one that helped me. That dream. She shivered slightly at the thought of it. That dream has always haunted me, but you made it go away so quickly. Thank you, for not leaving." She felt his warmth, and how soothing it was to her. The world seemed to fall away around them, leaving only him and her.

Slowly she brought her face to his, placing her lips up against his own in a kiss. Warmth spreed through her, making every nerve she had tingle in pleasure. She kissed him for only a minute, but when she pulled back she had to remind herself to breath. "Thank you...." She whispered in his ear, her eyes still staring into is. She hadn't really thought about what Alan would think, about her kissing her. But part of her did not really care.

[stray]

"Memories, dreams, nightmares. The soul has such a cruel way of reminding us of the past, the horrid, things we really wish we could forget. As much as we need to accept the past, its still so hard," Stray looked up at the stars and sighed miserably. "I know what it's like to be haunted."

Cheza's face came to mind, so sorrowfilled. Stray had to wonder if he would always remain such a failure. He hadn't saved that little girl, and apparently he hadn't saved Cheza either. But those thoughts were diluted when she touched his face. Shay's touch always made him lose focus. But then she did something even more unexpected, she kissed him, then whispered her thanks in his ear.

Blush creeped over his face, that an utter confusion. When had a creature, especially a woman, ever been so tender with him? When had anyone looked at him the way she was now, with eyes adorned with love and compassion? Stray had to touch his lips, just to feel that it was real. And it was, her warmth still lingered there, like the humble feeling sleep had.

Stray looked up at her, confusion and tiny peeks of happiness lined his eyes. His hand was still losely sitting around her waist, she was still in his lap. Without knowing what else to say he rubbed the back of his neck, "You're...welcome?" It wasn't like he wasn't attracted to Miss Shay, but he felt she was, so beyond him.

[shay]

Shay's eyes held a questioning look as Alan's face turned a nice shade of red. She stroked her hand along his now burning cheek, making her own skin tingle as she did. "You're...welcome?" He seemed uncertain of what she had did, had he not liked it. Shay opened her mouth as if to question something, then closed it again, she was unsure of what to say, what to do at this moment.

But she was saved the trouble. As if on cue Brakenfur and Firestorm appeared from the long grass, each carrying two very large hares. Brakenfur set her's down, looked at the two pups sittin there, and tried to supress a laugh. There is a stream of fresh water. She said in a forced cool voice. You can come and fill up your water skin, if you wish Shay. Shay nodded and stood, glad to see that her legs had decided to support her this time. She picked up her water skin and a change of clothes from her pack, before turning back to Alan. "Have something to eat, I'll be right back." She gave him a small smile, then left quickly with Brakenfur.

Firestorm watched them leave, then set his own hares down, throwing one to Alan. Don't know if you eat food raw or not. But if you want a fire, you'll have to wait till they get back. He sat down and took a big piece out of his hare, and chewed it, thinking. When he swallowed he glanced over at Alan. So, you like it that my pup kissed you or not?

Shay followed Brakenfur at a quick pace for about a mile, coming to a small stream with the scent of fresh water. Shay was happy to see it, she could not remeber the last time she had bathed. Quickly she stripped from her hide shirt and shorts and hopped into the water, which only came up to her waist. She washed herself of quickly, making sure to get her hair before stepping out and changing into the clothes she had brought. They were her favorite pair, the ones she had spent a long, cold winter making. They were made from fresh hide of a large buck, and had designs in white thread all over the shirt and pants. It was all different kinds of animals, the largest being a wolf over her heart on the shirt.

She quickly stepped into it, then ran her fingers through her hair to get the snarls out. Then she filled her skin, and sat down on the bank to rest. Brakenfur had come and taken a drink, before sitting next to her pup. They were silent for a long moment, each just enjoying the other company. Finally, Brakenfur spoke up. So, you kissed the fella. Shay simply nodded. Regret doing it? Shay shook her head. Good, I kinda like the guy myself, even if he has his own set of mental problems. Shay felt a smile form on her face, and she leaned up against Brakenfur, feeling the warmth of her fur, and the smell of her wolf mother.

[stray]

When the parents arrived Stray couldn't help but let out an inward sigh of relief. Shay took off, leaving Stray no time to screw anything up. A hare was thrown to his feet and he stared at it. He looked at both adult wolves with such gratitude. He didn't need a fire, no, he was a Stray, he had eaten anything as a kid. But being a human it took him some time to rip off a piece of meat, but he ate it humbly.

"Thank you, so very very much," he told Firestorm, who was now sitting down beside him. Stray munched on his hare happily, food entering the system and emitting warmth that he hadn't felt in such a long time.

So, you like it that my pup kissed you or not?

Stray started to choke on his piece of hare. Pounding his chest with his only usable fist he finally caught his breath and panted. He looked down, blush lining his face, and nodded his head slowly. "I like your daughter a great deal, but I don't know her well enough. To me, she's the savior I've fallen for, but she's more than just that savior. I need to know her as a friend too. I know, that might sound, strange, but I just want to know all of her before I give my heart to her." Stray started to flick his hare's ear, a nervous reaction he was having. "I also, want to become a better wolf, and man. I want Shay to be proud of me, not have to watch over me like an injured doe."

Stray looked over at Firestorm, "I want to be the best, so I can support her anytime she needs it."

[shay]

Firestorm listened to what Alan had to say, chewing on his meal as he did. He was pleased, close to impressed with the boys answer. Maybe Shay had seen something good in him. Not bad. He said coolly, swallowing his piece of meat. You got the right idea, learning about a girl before you give her your heart. And He sighed, but said it anyways. And cut yourself some slack, your not all that bad, though i still stand by my idea that someone dropped you on your head as a child.

he ripped another piece of rabbit off and went back to chewing, disappearing into his own thoughts. Shay and Brakenfur appeared a minute later. Shay was holding her clothes she had originally been in, while Brakenfur was carrying the water skin. Shay smiled happily at Alan upon seeing him. "I hope you boys had a nice chat while we were gone." She said cheerfully, setting down her clothes and picking up her own rabbit. "And I hope somebody was not a cranky, mean old man." She stuck her tongue out and Firestorm, who simply rolled his eyes and continued eating.

Brakenfur threw the water at Alan, before picking up her own meal and feasting on it. Shay to ripped off a piece and began to chew. She could eat raw meat without getting sick, but she preferred it cooked and usually at it like that. I want to get moving, when we are set. Firestorm said after a minute. We need to get this pup here to a large body of water before the full moon, and the only one i can think of is that one in the water territory.

[stray]

Stray had to laugh lightly at Firestorm's odd sense of humor. The wolf was accepting of the stray, which made him humble and happy. IF he was truly dropped on his head, so be it. When Shay and Brakenfur returned Stray couldn't help but feel a tiny bit awkward. It seemed everyone was having a grand old time teasing the young pup, who wanted nothing more than to feel his left arm again.

I want to get moving, when we are set. We need to get this pup here to a large body of water before the full moon, and the only one i can think of is that one in the water territory.

Territory? Since when were they in different territories? That was typical Stray, wandering into a land and not knowing anything about it. Surely he'd get mixed up in some kind of fight or rumble. Stray finished his hare and glanced at his arm. As a wolf he could see the bone, the flesh around it lining up with black and blues, flesh exposed was turning an ugly color. As a human he couldn't see a thing, his jacket was covering it, though stained thoroughly with pints of his blood. He felt weak, that lack of blood was pushing his small body into overdrive.

"Water territory?" Stray finally mumbled aloud, thinking about what he might encounter there. The full moon was now two days away, they had wasted a day following Stray around while he went through his mental tortures.

The song, the girl, and Kiba. A chill ran up his spine when something else flashed before his eyes. A fight between two wolves, one of white, one of black. Were they symbolic for dark and light? He could hear their growls, the tearing of flesh, and he could smell the blood that was staining the snow. The image vanished almost immediately, he pressed his head to his eye and hissed in pain. "Gah.....shit."

Stray shook his head back and forth trying to rid the pounding sound in his ears and the pain between his eyes. It resided slowly and he felt like he was going to tip over. "I'm sorry...." he hissed out between the last lengths of his pain. "It's just.....another one."

[shay]

"Water territory?" Shay looked over at Alan. As a wonder, she thought he would have known about the four territories, to make sure he stayed out of trouble. She and her wolf parents had only just learned about them. In fact, that was the reason Shay never went to meet her people. She was a half breed, half human or shape shifter. Half elf. So, all three of them had easily guessed that Shay would not be wanted. It also answered Shay's question about why her parents had never taken her to see her people after they moved; it was because there engagement had been forbidden.

"There are four territories." She said coolly, remembering what information they had uncovered the last couple of weeks. The territories are each ruled by a god. There's Borran, god of earth. His people are demons and humans. There's Pyran, god of fire. His people are dragons and other fire taming creatures. Then there's the goddess of wind Airos. Her people are winged creatures. And last but not least is Heiseph, goddess of the water. Her people are elves and other creatures similar to them. From what we've picked up, there's a big war going on between them but we don't have much information about it."

She stopped when she saw Alan press his hands to his eyes and grumble something. Another one of his visions. Shay was up in a instant and next to him, and hand on his unhurt shoulder. "We need to get you healed as soon as possible. It may be easier to handle these images when you are not hurt." She placed a hand to his forehead. She was sure he was getting a infection, and that it was soon going to spread through his whole body. The medicine would hold back the worse from his body, but it would only work for a while. They were going to be cutting it close, and if they didn't heal him at this full moon, he would not last till the next.

We need to move. Now! Brakenfur growled. She could easily sense what thoughts were making Shay's eyes grow cold. She stood up and Firestorm did too. Shay also stood up and raced over to her stuff. She had her bag and quiver and pack on her back, her bow in hand. She then walked back over to Alan and offered him a hand to help him up. "Can you travel?"

[stray]

Four gods, and a war. A war. His mind found the image of the little girl dead in the snow, and the panther demon. Blue eyes watered up with tears and he wiped them quickly with the back of his dirty hand. Death. Death was everywhere, every corner, taking people who need not deserve it.

If he was healed, would these memories stop? Memories? When had he called them that? Were they visions? Did they have anything to do with him. WHy had they suddenly arrived. Were they repressed. Stray hadn't a clue, but it was making his heart ache with an agony he had not felt. Her hand found his forehead and he shivered lightly. She was so warm, like an aura, kind and light, like pink. Stray sighed lightly, relaxing the muscles that ached. No sooner had he sighed Brakenfur declared they had to leave. Stray knew he was pushing it, he couldn't even feel his left arm anymore, and his side was starting to numb out.

Shay offered him a hand and he looked up at her. Stray pulled himself up with her hand and nodded slowly. "I can travel as a man for a while, but not much. THe food helps, it does, but it won't last for too long," he turned his eyes up to his companion. "I'm starting to lose the feeling in my left half, not just my arm. I don't know, maybe that panther had poisonous fangs, nothing surprises me anymore."

Stray looked up and sniffed the sky, trying to feel for the water. Even if he couldn't know what form he belonged in, having the wolf in him benefitted. There was something in a wolf, that pushed beyond what the mind and body told him. 'Ah Kiba, I'm waiting'

"...Kiba?" Stray shook his head again and stared down at his wolf companions. Why did neither of them know of Kiba, of Cheza. He wanted help, so badly, he wanted help.

[shay]

"I'm starting to lose the feeling in my left half, not just my arm. I don't know, maybe that panther had poisonous fangs, nothing surprises me anymore" The words made Shay's insides grow cold, but she tried her best to hide it. Only her eyes showed her fear, looking dull and icy instead of having there usual warmth. She had to concentrate, had to find some way to make sure Alan made it to the lake. Whatever it took.

"We'll make it." She said, trying to sound confident. "We can take it nice and slow, so you don't push yourself." Brakenfur nodded, Firestorm just simply turned and began walking. You stay with the pup. Brakenfur said, looking up at Shay. Firestorm will scout ahead, I will be not to far off, so call me if you need me. With that she to started walking, her mate having already disappeared into the grass.

Brakenfur walked quickly and soon caught up with Firestorm, who was pushing ahead and not looking at his mate. What did you tell the boy? She asked quietly, eying her mate with a strange look on her face. Firestorm simply sighed and said. I told him Shay's story......All of it, even the part she does not know. Brakenfur gave him a look of shock. What are you mad. What if he talks to her about it.

Firestorm kept walking, but he finally turned and looked at his mate. We both know that she had to find out sooner or later. And who knows, maybe she will be able to handle the truth better this time. She was so young, and the pack was deeply hurt by what those men had done. But with Alka still alive, she needs to be prepared, for whatever may come.

Brakenfur let out a small growl, but did not argue with her mate. Instead, she simply slowed her pace until Firestorm was much farther ahead. Lost in her own thoughts, her mind turned to her pup, and a shiver went down her spine. If she ever found out, Brakenfur was sure it would kill her.

Shay started forward after her parents, still clutching Alan's hand. "Lets go before those to get to far ahead."

(After you post lets move the thread to Edges of the Lake. Lets also say its the night of the full moon, and it took us to days to travel that far.)

[stray]

Shay held onto his good hand, but for the moment he was lost in thoughts. Stray looked at his left hand and tried to clench a fist, and nothing about his body moved. He was scared, he couldn't survive as a wolf with only three limbs. Even if he wasn't sure which form he belonged in, he didn't want to lose that part of him. They stuck to an average pace, like a brisk walk. His azure eyes kept ahead, making sure he could see Brakenfur on the horizon.

There were a lot of things he wanted to say to her, a lot of things. But for the moment, he was slightly preoccupied. Cheza and Kiba felt like they were from a long time ago. It was, strange. He knew them, but at the same time it wasn't like he personally knew them. It was like, a third party way of knowing them. Hard to explain. He tilted his head back and sighed, sweat beads appearing on his face and neck. Despite the wonderful herbs Shay had given him, he was still growing weaker by the minute.

"You know I'm sorry, about your parents. I'm sure that's really hard to deal with," he squeezed her hand gently. "Loss is always hard."


[[its short, but done]]

[Promise Broken]

where did this thread go? Was it abandoned, or was it finished? Just wondering, so that I know whether to consider it "completed" or "abandoned".

Thanks. ;D

-P.B.