»« × everything comes to an end... even the best

[◕‿◕]

For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.

-- × --

The darkness was wrapped around the Nozomi lands like a blanket wrapped around a small child. It surrounded the area as if to protect it, but protecting the lands the darkness was not. It was like an enclosure, keeping the wolves from going in and out as they pleased. Of course, there were always ones that could slip through. The darkness was powerful, but not that powerful. It had its perks along with its downsides, but all in all, it made things easier. Quite easier. Especially when one was on a mission. On a mission to what, though? It didn't matter. There was only one thing that mattered at that moment and it would be taken care of before one could even know what was going on.

The night - or was it day? - was bitterly cold, the cold that came with the darkness. There was no light; one could only trust their vision to be better than average to get around now. Along with the cold and darkness came silence. It hovered through the pack lands like spirits that floated through the land of the dead. The silence was deafening; not even the wind stirred the weak snow that had settled upon the once lush green ground. With the silence there was a feeling, a feeling that was not good. It was eerie and frightening, in a way. One could only expect bad things to happen with it around. Bad things were about to take place sooner than one would expect.

No sound was made as the enormous male made his way into the Nozomi lands. He had received permission from his Lord, as he would refer to him, and this was a once in a lifetime opportunity; he couldn't mess things up. He didn't plan on messing things up. Failure was not an option. He couldn't believe his luck when that scent came to him. It had been years since he had come in contact with it. A memory came to the male then and a malevolent grin spread across his sleek black maw. He had enjoyed the last time he had seen the owner of this particular scent. Oh, the pain he had caused for him and everyone else. Everyone else that died. Harsh laughter escaped from the male's parted jaw and it filled the area, breaking through the silence cruelly. The battle that had been fought that night was one this male would never forget. Never before had he spilled so much blood. Never before had he caused so much anguish in one area. Never before had he been so pleased. He was young at the time, but he remembered it like it was yesterday. It had been a wonderful night.

At last, he caught wind of the scent again. He wasn't too far away now. In fact, he was within view. The large male halted in his steps, his malevolent grin still in place. Humorless chuckling rumbled in his chest and his broad shoulders shook as the chuckling turned to laughter. His red eyes zeroed in on the wolf he hadn't seen in so long, the wolf he had been waiting for. His long tail swept forward, sending snow flying into the air, and curled around the male's body. He wasn't easily seen in the darkness due to the fact that his coat was as black as the night sky, but there were the bits of red strewn throughout his fur and his red eyes were a dead giveaway. He made no attempt to move forward or to even say anything. He stood in the spot where he had stopped and lifted his head to the dark sky above and closed his eyes, a pleased look sweeping across his handsome face.

-- × --

He hadn't wanted to think about the vision he had just had, but it was still there. The pain was still fresh, though it was dying away gradually. He couldn't tell Kali about this; there was no way. If she had known, her heart would have shattered right then and there. He felt terrible for not telling her. She was the love of his life, after all. She had a right to know, didn't she? He shook his head and sighed heavily. Some things were better kept secrets and this was one of them. He couldn't do it. He wouldn't do it. A feeling of despair swept over him then and he wanted to collapse to the ground and wish everything would end right at that moment. Of course, he couldn't have things that way.

He wasn't even sure of where he was going. It was too dark and he was just now taking notice of the darkness that had settled in on the pack lands. When had this happened? How had this happened? Why had this happened? So many questions, so few answers. His mind was an ocean of thoughts. Those thoughts, they were mind boggling. They would always be there. They would never vanish. They were with him until the end. Sometimes he wished he were normal. He wished he could be like everyone else and not have to worry about what he saw, what he heard, or what he felt. All of this, this entire power, was a burden to live with and he wished it had never come to him. It never caused anyone good. He would give anything to make it go away, but that wasn't possible. He would be damned with it for eternity.

It hit him then. It was so strong, so fierce that it nearly knocked him over in his steps. That scent... it was familiar, yet unfamiliar at the same time. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it in his delusional state of mind, or if it was really there. His thoughts were answered as he heard the laughter. It was him. Him. He who had caused Kaige so much pain in so little time. He who had made Kaige who he was to this day. "Thanatos...,"

[/i] he whispered, his voice full of hatred and rage. He had done all of it. Everything. And he had done it in a way where it seemed to be joyful to him. He enjoyed slaughtering all of them and causing so much pain. The memory was so strong he felt as if he were reliving it again. A low growl rumbled in his chest, making its way up to wards his throat and through his gritted white fangs.

He could see him now and his crimson eyes narrowed. He was much larger than the last time he had seen him, but that wasn't going to stop Kaige from doing what he wanted to do most, and that was kill Thanatos. Kill him in a way that should be made illegal. There were no words that could describe how Kaige was feeling at that moment, no words to describe what he wanted to do. He moved forward like a hunter stalking its prey, clearly aware that Thanatos knew he was there. He wasn't afraid. Fear would not control him, it was a weakness and weak Kaige was not. He stopped just a few yards away from where Thanatos stood and the rage took control. It was so bad, he was shaking. Never before had he been like this. Never before had he felt so much hatred for another. Never before had he wanted to torture, to kill someone as bad as he did at that moment.[/color]

-- × --

"Kaige Maverick OmenStar...," Thanatos murmured, his eyes still closed. A smile played across his maw as he moved his head slowly to Kaige's level and opened his red eyes, peering into the crimson ones belonging to Kaige. "It's been a long time. How I've missed you...." He spoke as if they were good friends that had been separated long ago. There was a gleam in his eyes as they took over Kaige's appearance. "You haven't changed one bit."



A growl that was unlike any other tore through Kaige's throat as his lips pulled back over his pearly white fangs. He wasn't up for chit-chat. He wanted to get down to business. He knew Thanatos wasn't here to make friends. He was here to kill. There was no secret behind that. "You will pay." He spoke each word slowly and quietly, venom included with each word he said.



Thanatos chuckled quietly and shook his head. "My dear friend, you are sadly mistaken. I will pay for nothing." He spoke to Kaige as if he were speaking to a young pup. He made his way forward in just two steps and lowered his maw to Kaige's ear. "You will pay...," he said softly, almost inaudibly. "With your life."[/size][/center][/blockquote]

[Emilyyyyyyyyy]

Velia slowly made her way to the lake, in a rather depressed mood. The lands she had been staying in had something terribly wrong with them. Terribly. Velia quietly and elegantly walked towards the frozen lake, keeping her head down, not in the mood to talk. The wind blew lightly, and she picked up a familiar scent. Too familiar. Lifting her head, she grimaced, it was the very same wolf that she had caused so much pain years - and not so long - ago. He was sure to have spoken to Kali, and things were surely okay. Though when she took a look at who he was talking to, a bad feeling swept over her. He wasn't good... that was for sure.
-x-
ohxohxsee:
Sorry for crappehness. XD Mental-block.

[::Phantom::]

"Stupid babysitter."

A small figure made her way over to the Nami Lake. The young 2 month old pup had managed to slip past the babysitter with ease. She was angry at her mother for leaving her there with her in the first place. Why did Doom get to go off with Daddy while she had to stay with a mangy old babysitter? Michiko was small and by her height she did look like she was 2 months old, but her beauty surpassed her age easily. Her fur was soft and the color of snow. Pitch black feather wings compressed to her sides -- she was still unable to fly though she tried numerous times -- She had a black marking under both eyes, a black like bracelet around her front right leg, and a black moon and star shap e on her left hind. Her eyes were a soft blue that held knowledge beyond her years.

Yet know one knows -- not even herself -- the pain and horror she will cause thousands of wolves when she is older. At a closer look in her eyes you can see an evil glint to them, but it is faint, but will grow over time. Michiko already is beginning to hate everything around her and already is making use of her powers. It won't be long before she gets out of control and loses herself.

"Hmm..what's going on..." She whispered to herself as she saw three wolves. Her feet sank into the snow and she jumped trying to get a better glimpse. She began to walk faster and it wasn't long before she realized one of them was her own father. The other two wolves she had no idea who they were. There was a mean looking male and a female who Michiko disliked right away because she seemed too nice.

"Daddy!" Michiko said with a gasp as she made her way over to him. "What's going on?" She asked in a low voice as her alluring blue eyes flickered over to the other male. She didn't flinch at all. She was actually curious about this male.

[◕‿◕]

"You can't kill me," Kaige growled in an acidic tone. Kill him? There was no possible way unless he was ballsy enough to attempt to behead him. Kaige snorted rudely and glared up at Thanatos. It wouldn't happen. He wouldn't let it happen. "There is no way that you can," he said in the same tone of voice. He tossed his head back and shook it, laughing humorlessly. It was then when he heard Michiko's voice. His head snapped over to her and his eyes widened slightly. How did she get here? Wasn't she supposed to be watched by some worthless female? He growled quietly as his crimson eyes narrowed. "Michiko, go back to your mother." He spoke softly, but it was an order. An order she would hopefully follow if she knew what was right for her. At that moment, he finally saw Velia. His expression held nothing of interest and he said nothing to her. But it was a mistake for him to be distracted.

Thanatos took this as an opportunity and crouched back on his haunches, a malevolent grin taking its place across his maw. He lunged forward at Kaige, slamming his large body into the other male. Both of them tumbled over one another more than once. When it finally settled, Thanatos had Kaige pinned on his back. It was clear that he was much stronger than Kaige, for Kaige could hardly move against Thanatos' death grip. "How nice. You have offspring," he said, making the word 'offspring' sound dirty. "She'll get witness your death. Wonderful!" He tossed his large head back and laughed cruelly. His gaze caught Velia's and his laughter grew louder. "And another! We have an audience, Kaige! Isn't that grand?" He shook his head and his laughter ceased to a stop. He was serious once more and his red eyes darkened as they peered into the crimson ones belonging to Kaige. "Such a sad day," he said, his voice full of fake remorse. "A day that comes to an end.. the end of your lifetime." His eyes narrowed and something different, something unrecognizable came across his expression. "I can kill you, Kaige. And I will. I have a power you never knew about. A power that is one of the strongest in this pathetic world. You will soon find out about it." The smile that slipped across his maw was frightening and the look on his face was even worse. "Enjoy," he whispered as the process began to take its course.

At first, Kaige thought Thanatos was bluffing. There was no way this wolf had almost unbeatable powers. He was just trying to scare him. He wasn't going to kill him. There was no way. That was when the pain began to flow throughout his body. It was only a little sting, at first, but it gradually grew worse until Kaige wanted to die. Death would have been better than the pain that he felt. He was doing his best to not please Thanatos by showing that he was in pain, but it was hard. The pain was horrible. It was like nothing he had ever felt before. He couldn't just lay there and take it; he had to fight back. But how? He could hardly move and this pain that was surging through his body was nearly paralyzing. With as much strength as he could muster up and raised his front paws, wincing as the pain grew, if possible, even worse, and brought them to Thanatos' neck. "You will not win," he growled, the pain evident in his voice. His claws latched onto his neck and he began to dig them in one at a time. There was no way he was going to die.

The growl that ripped through Thanatos' throat was terrifying. The look on his face was lethal, almost enough to kill someone. And that was exactly what he was doing. He was staring in the eyes of Kaige and killing him slowly and painfully. He was enjoying it immensely. But when Kaige's claws began to pierce through his neck, he grew infuriated. His lips curled back and revealed his sharp, pointed fangs and his eyes darkened until they were almost the color of blood. "Take it like a man, Kaige. You cannot win against me," he hissed, increasing the amount of pain Kaige would be feeling. He wouldn't speed things up. He would just make things slower and more painful. The more pain he caused Kaige, the better.

At that point, the pain was paralyzing, but he was doing his best to not let it affect him. He had to concentrate on one thing and one thing only right then. And that was to kill Thanatos before he could kill him. He dug is claws in deeper, but it was harder than it seemed. Thanatos had tough skin and it was hard to break through. "I can win and I will win," Kaige hissed back, almost writhing in pain. He continued to dig his claws in, praying to whatever higher being there was that he would be successful. When it finally happened, warm blood began to drip passed Kaige's claws and down onto his fur. The deeper his claws got, the more the pain increased for him. It didn't matter anymore, he was finally getting somewhere.

Thanatos growled in rage and moved his paws from Kaige's chest to his throat and began to dig his claws in. It was easier for him only because his claws were sharper and he was stronger. Blood spurted from both of their wounds, but Kaige's was worse. "Don't worry, little pansy. It'll all be over soon," he said as blood began to steadily drip from his parted maw. His laughter, which sounded like a low hiss, was humorless. His eyes burned into Kaige's and the pain he was putting through was at its deadliest. "Say goodbye to the world, Kaige."

His vision was beginning to grow fuzzy and black. It went in and out at random points. His claws dug deeper into Thanatos' throat and the blood sprayed from the wounds. He laughed humorlessly along with Thanatos, but it was hard. "Fuck you," he managed to say, though it was so quiet it was nearly impossible to hear. His claws were the deepest they could go and with the last ounce of strength he had, he tore into his throat.

Thanatos yelled in outrage and pain as his throat was destroyed. Blood leaked profusely from the gaping holes and soaked through both of the wolves fur. His claws dug deep into Kaige's throat and the pool of blood grew larger by the minute. "If.. if I die.. you die," he managed to hiss as the last of his strength left his massive body.

"Kali...." The word was said soundlessly and was heard by neither of the wolves. It was the last thought Kaige had and the last thing he saw was his daughter before everything went black.

There was no movement and no sound. Everything had gone still has if time had stopped. Time hadn't stopped, though. The two wolves that had been fighting to the death lay in the snow, unmoving. Dark red blood pooled out around them, staining the once pure white snow. Blood was still flowing from their open wounds, creating a very small, very thin stream through the snow. Nothing more was said. Nothing more was done. There was no life left in either of the wolves. Death had finally come and collected what it rightfully owned.

[::Phantom::]

Michiko really didn't have a chance to listen to her father's words. If anything she was much closer to her father then her mother, but she wasn't quite sure why. She took a few steps forward as the battle happened. She wasn't quite sure what was going on. Why was this strange wolf battling her father? All she knew was it wasn't going to end well.

She could feel tears linger in her eyes as she saw her father's still body. "Daddy..." She whimpered pinning her ears back upon her head. She was young, but she seen death before, with her Aunts she seen them both die because of her father...so it didn't take her long to realize her father wasn't going to get up.

What should she do? Stay there or go get her mother? Her feet were frozen to the ground, all she could do was let out a small whimper.



However Michiko didn't have to leave to find Kali...she was already there. Kali finally decided to go back to the pups and nearly chewed off the wolfess's head when she realized Michiko was missing. She promised here she would make her life a living hell if she let something happened to the other pups as she went to go search for her daughter.

"Michiko! There you are! What in the world are you ---" Her voice was cut short. Her eyes gazed away from the small pup and turned to look at the two figures that laid still on the snow. One of them she never met before, but the other wolf was very familiar...could it be?

"Kaige..." Kali whispered as she turned away and began to head over to the wolf. Her heart dropped into her stomach the closer she got. Tears stung her eyes were she couldn't really see. She took a sharp breath and took a step back when she realized it was Kaige.

"Oh no." She whispered. All this time Kali never once worried about him dying or even getting hurt. He was immortal and there was so few ways to kill an immortal wolf. She never believed it would happen, but here he was before her. Tears rolled down her cheek as she shook her head. She wouldn't believe it. She couldn't believe it. The last time Kaige 'died' he came back...so he would have to come back this time, right?

"Oh please no." She whimpered. She felt weak, like her heart and soul just gave in. Her legs caved in before her and she landed in the snow. Kali always kept her emotions to herself, she never really learned properly how to express them. Maybe another wolfess would have cried her heart out in agony and in pain for their lost...Kali didn't do that...and in the way it was much worst what she was going through. Her head pounded with a profound migraine that she ever felt before, her heart was being torn up piece by piece and every piece sent an shocking pain throughout her body, she felt weak and hopeless and felt lost and confused as if someone had ripped a part of her....which they did...they took Kaige away from her. Her only reason to live.

"I love you, Kaige.." She whispered. She wouldn't say good-bye. This wasn't good-bye. Not yet. He wouldn't have to wait too long for her. It wouldn't be long before they reunited. She closed her eyes and laid her head in the snow, small tears still fell from her eyes.

[/color]

[Emilyyyyyyyyy]

Velia stared in shock at the two unmoving figures laying in the snow before her. And Kali... Kali was there now, too! She was speechless, the words were frozen in her throat. There was nothing she could say, or do. Kaige and Kali belonged together, and there wasn't a chance she was going to try to break that. Kaige had looked so strangly at her before... and it was her fault he was now lying there. For while he had been giving her that blank stare of no emotion, the other wolf had hit him. She shook her head, she couldn't believe it. Kaige was... immortal... so he couldn't die. He shouldn't be able to die. Why was he dead?

Velia felt no sympathy for the other wolf, his body could rot in a hole for all she cared. Finally, she moved a step forward. Though she didn't love Kaige anymore, she would always still hurt when he was hurt. For love wasn't pass-tense... if you loved someone once, there was always a part of you - somewhere in some way - that would always love that person. Velia still loved Kaige... but not in the way most would believe. She loved him as a brother, and nothing else. There was a sharp pounding in her head now, was he really dead? It couldn't be. Her usually warm blue eyes were now an icy color, the cold color they turned when she was upset.

Coming closer to the two bodies, she remembered Kali's and the pup's presence. Would Kali want her there? Would Velia care if she wanted her there? Kaige wouldn't care if he were even still alive if Velia died, so why was she so sad? She didn't even know. He had yelled at her enough before... so why was she here? Apology? No. She just cared about Kaige... believe it or not, there was part of Velia that did care what happened to Kaige. Yes, she cared what happened to everyone she knew... but if they were ever her friend they were her friend for life... hate her or not.

"Kali..." She tried, her voice quiet. "... Would you be mad if I stayed?" She offered, still not breaking her gaze from Kaige's horrible state. She didn't know what else she could say, and so that's all that came out.

[::Phantom::]

Kali turned her head, looking at Velia with her empty eyes. She had no hatred for Velia nor did she like her (More so because Kali didn't know her) but they did have one thing in common...something that they also shared with Shinrin (Sadly) They all loved Kaige in some way...and they all been his mate at one point or another. Kali shook her head at her words, afraid to speak. Why did this have to happen? Why now? Kali thought that the would spend quite a few more years together happily and then die...together. However there always seemed to be something in the way, blocking their ticket to happiness, and now Kaige was dead. Their chances were dead. How could he die on her? Kali shook her head...it wasn't his fault.

"Yes, pleas stay..." She mumbled, her words barley audible. She didn't want to be a lone. Even if it was with Velia.

Michiko watched her mother and slowly walked over to her. Like her mother Michiko was unsure how to express her feelings about her father dying. Part of her wanted to cry out and share her mother's pain, but the darker part of her just wanted to shake her head and mock at her mother for showing her weakness. She was torn into about which side to take, so she sat there in silence, her eyes focused upon her father's dead body.

[wolfurchick]

((back in the Leiko Forest))A soft sigh escaped her maw as she stared up at the starry sky. She didnt know why she still felt so depressed...she had her sisters now! The fearsome four...no one could stop them...and yet... She let her body collapse into the grass. SHe let out a light huff as she did, but ignored it. She wasnt supposed to be like this anymore! She was...she was MORI! not Shinrin! She had killed Shinrin long ago...or...atleast she thought, now she wasnt so sure. More and more she realized how much she longed...for something.

Her ears twitched slightly on the wind. She no longer looked like the origonal Mori, and her green and blue markings disapeared as all her sisters united. Since they had officially become the fearsome four, all of them looked as they did when they were born. Shinrin, or Mori, was now all black with a blue moon and dot marking on her hind, just as she had when she had first met Kaige...

Her mind twitched. Kaige...that was what she was missing. Mori growled at herself. Hadnt she said atleast a month ago that she hated Kaige?! He didnt love her! He admitted it! she had just been a burden to him! He was with Kali now...She let out a soft sigh. No matter how much she said she hated him anymore, she knew it wasnt true. Actually...that feeling seemed to grow since about a week or two ago...Shinrin seemed to try to escape from the depths of Mori's cold heart.

Yes...it all started about a week or two ago...no...no it was longer than that...but how long was it? Three weeks? A month? Two months? She no longer had any grasp on time or life...It seemed this past...how ever long it had been...had just been a dream... 'no...' She told herself. 'not a dream...a nightmare.' She took her mind back to the night that she had found Kaige...oh how happy she was to see him! To FINALLY see him! She had risked her life just to find him...and...then...he told her to move on. How could she move on?!

Mori found herself crying into her paw. She quickly caught herself and stopped, reminding herself that MOri did not cry, only Shinrin did, and she was not Shinrin anymore! that was in the past! just a memory! 'a memory that meant more to me then life itself..' she found herself thinking. She shifted onto her back, peering up at the stars above. Those stars....oh how bad she wished she could read them once more, but she had given up her old powers...she remembered telling that to Sabaku. She had never seen her sister so angry.

But...Mori was glad she could no longer tell the future...the stars always seemed to lie to her. 'there was one truth..' she heard a voice speak in her mind. She startled, only to realize it was Shinrin talking. 'They knew this would happen...the stars...' Mori let out a sigh. She wondered sometimes if the Shinrin inside of her was right...she was always saying that this was a mistake...that she should have just...died. She growled at the memory of her sisters rescuing her. They should have just let her die...

"Sister..." Mori jumped at the whisper of her youngest sister's voice. She had been so deep in thought she hadnt even heard her come. MOri got to her feet, turning to face Taikai, snarling slightly. "What the hell do you want?" She stopped as she saw her sister's face. It was twisted and sadened, not anything like what she was used to in her evil sisters. She quickly stopped snarling. "Whats up?"

Mori had not expected a tear to roll down Taikai's face, but that was exactly what happened. Taikai sat down infront of Mori. It was as if...well, almost as if they were normal sisters, not evil at all. "She crossed the line Shinrin!" Mori blinked. She didnt have a clue what she was talking about, but for some reason, she felt like she should stay and listen. 'damn you Shinrin' she whispered to herself. "Who? Tell me what happened."

"shinrin its horrible!" MOri ignored the fact that she kept calling her Shinrin. Tears streamed from Taikai's eyes. "She killed Phantom! SHE KILLED HER!" MOri frowned. She still had no idea what was going on... "Slow down Taikai! who killed who?" Taikai looked up at Mori. "Sabaku! She killed Phantom! SHE KILLED MY OWN PUP!" A shock went through Mori's heart. Normally, she wouldnt have cared about something like this... but now..

About an hour later, Taikai and Mori stood before Sabaku, all three snarling at each other. "Sabaku!" mori barked angrily. Sabaku rolled her eyes. "I had to do it! that little brat was a threat! I will eliminate all threats!" She turned to Mori and laughed. "But look at you...all worried about your little sister. Good thing you dont care about Kaige anymore. Man, my job was made easier...He was a threat too...but I didnt even have to kill him myself..." Mori's eyes went wide as she took a step closer. "What...what do you mean?"

Sabaku let out roars of laughter. "Oh, you mean to tell me you didnt know?! Well you did say it yourself...it didnt matter if Kaige died..." Taikai held Shinrin back. "Shinrin...lets just...go..." Mori turned around emmedietly, followed by Taikai. "She will pay." They both said together. Mori looked at Taikai. "Wait...Taikai! I have an idea!" Mori's brain kicked into gear. Taikai blinked. "Im listening, Mori." Mori gave a smile. "First of all...call me Shinrin..." She smiled. "Second of all...give me one of your feathers..." Taikai frowned. "What?! They are my lives!" Shinrin nodded. "How much do you care about your pup?" Taikai blinked. "More than anything..but...how are you going to...and Kaige?" Shinrin nodded. She turned around and bit one of her own feathers off, flinching as she did. "Kaige will come back too."

From that moment, it clicked in Taikai's mind. It was perfect...a way to bring Phantom AND Kaige back...and all it cost them was two of their own lives and a trip to the death realm.
(( back at Nami Lake)) ----((by the way, Mori is now back to Shinrin))
When Shinrin and Taikai were far enough away that they knew they were safe from their sister, they stopped. Shinrin had two feathers in her mouth, one which had been plucked from Taikai, and one from herself. Shinrin nodded. "So you can send me into the death realm...all ive got to do is find the souls of Kaige and Phantom...Im pretty sure I will find her, by the way you described her, I'll spot her just fine...and then give them each a feather, and then what?" Taikai nodded. "And then I will pull you all from the realm." Shinrin nodded. "And your sure this will work?" Taikai sighed. "I hope so."

After a moment, a small vortex had appeared near the lake. Purple energy seemed to flow from it, at the same time Taikai was struggling to keep it open. "Just hurry Shinrin!" SHe informed her sister. "I wont be able to hold it open for long...it takes a lot out of me." And with that notion, Shinrin took a deep breath and leapt into the vortex.

What she was thinking would come, absolutly did not. She was thinking that perhaps she would be sucked in through the hole and perhaps feel the presure of death herself, but she actually felt as if she were still in the packlands. infact, the Nami Lake was right there, but nothing was colorful. It was all in black and white, except for the wolves, who were very faded but in all sorts of colors. She glanced around at the wolves. She could tell by the way they looked that they were only spirits of wolves that once had been alive. None turned their attention to Shinrin, as if they didnt even see her. They only walked around the place, as if nothing in the world was going on, pacing back and forth as though they were...well...dead.

Shinrin spotted Kaige first. His site normally made her want to run and hug him, but in this case...she felt as if she couldnt. It wasnt that she felt anger inside her anymore, Shinrin had obviously taken over Mori once more. No but there was something about him that made her want to keep her distance. Nevertheless, she approached Kaige, at first cautiously, then remembering if she didnt hurry she would be stuck here, she sped up. When she got to him, she hoped him to look at her, or something. But the spirits of the wolves didnt see Shinrin at all.

Shinrin took a deep breath, thrusting the feather into the back of the spirits neck. Fortunatly, the feather formed to his fur as if it were apart of him. Shinrin nodded and smiled. "Kaige...please come back.." Tears had formed in her eyes. "If I have to...I will give you my last life...just please...please come back." not forgetting about her end of the deal, Shinrin turned and took off to find Taikai's pup. It wasnt long, but when she found the black and purple, almost demonic pup, the pup appeared to be staring right at her. Infact, she was. Shinrin wondered if Phantom could see her. As if answering her question, the pup looked into her eyes and spoke. "Yes Im Phantom. I knew you would come...I knew my mother would rescue me." The pup glanced around. "I expect you dont have long."

Shinrin blinked. She didnt know why this pup knew everything, but she didnt argue. She handed over Taikai's feather.Phantom quickly grabbed it in her grip and tucked it into her fur on her shoulder. It formed to her as the other one did with Kaige. Phantom looked back up. "Well? Hurry up! Tell her already." Shinrin nodded, turned the hole of the vortex, and shouted at it. "Ok Taikai!" Ourside the realm, Taikai nodded. She dug her claws into the ground, pulled back her head, and let out an alarming houl. Three Figures were forced from the realm and thrown into the grass. The vortex disapeared, and Taikai dropped to the ground, wheezing.

shinrin glanced around. Phantom and Kaige was back...and Taikai would be alright when she got some rest. "It worked!" Taikai and Shinrin said simultaniously. THe sisters exchanged glances, smiled, and from that moment on, swore to never return to the fearsome four again.

[◕‿◕]

There were voices and there were more than one. Why were their voices? There shouldn't have been any. They weren't very clear, but they were there. Everything seemed to have hazy, almost as if there was a thick fog covering everything, but there wasn't. There was also a cold feeling. Why was it cold? And why was he hurting? The dull pain began to flood through his body and it gradually became worse with each passing second. What was going on? Where was he? What was happening? Why was he feeling all of this? This wasn't normal. He couldn't feel anything before. What was so special about now?

Eventually, his eyelids fluttered and his eyes were open. They were darker than what they were before. They were dark like blood, no longer being the bright crimson color they used to be. His vision was blurry and he couldn't see straight, but it soon began to clear up. There was a blinding bright light and it took him awhile to realize that it was snow. There was snow? There wasn't any before. He blinked a few times before he could finally see clearly and he soon lifted his head up somewhat, feeling another stab of pain go throughout his body. What the hell was going on? Of course, he had no idea he was alive again. And he had no idea that the reason why he was alive was standing right near him.

The pain began to die down until it was no longer there and he finally found the strength to push himself up to see what was happening. At first he felt dizzy, but it soon went away. His blood red gaze was on the ground, staring at the snow that was now surrounding him. "What the hell?" he mumbled quietly, though his voice was deeper than it had been before. He then realized he was breathing. "What. The. Hell?" Each word was said slowly and separately. He was puzzled beyond all belief. He was alive. And he was different.

His fur, which was once a charcoal gray, was darker than ever, but it wasn't as dark as the darkness that surrounded the land. His tail was crimson colored like his eyes used to be and a crimson pointed design rested on each hindquarter and a crimson crescent moon went across each eye. There was a large, nearly healed scar that was on the right side of his throat from where Thanatos had ripped into. His body was larger now, both in height and muscle. He hadn't been very large before, but now he stood taller than most male wolves. Muscles could easily be seen beneath his shaggy fur, covering almost every inch of his body. He was more powerful than ever before, and it was all thanks to Thanatos, yet he had no idea.

His blood colored gazed drifted about around him and it finally landed on Shinrin. His eyes narrowed slightly, more out of confusion than anger, and he took a step back, crushing the snow that was beneath his massive paws. "What are you doing here?" he asked as he took another step back, still unaware of what was going on. "You're not dead." Dead. It finally clicked. He was no longer dead. No. Longer. Dead. He finally realized he was alive and it could be seen across his face.

[/blockquote]

[wolfurchick]

Shinrin shook her head as her eyes turned back to Kaige with his voice. Emmedietly she jumped to her paws. In the corner of her eyes she noticed that the pup Phantom was running to her mother, her tail wagging happily. Shinrin looked at Kaige, tears forming to the corners of her eyes. She didnt say anything at first, just stared at him. She knew Kaige must be thinking something was different, especially since Shinrin looked like her old self, like the Shinrin Kaige first met, and then ofcourse there was the fact that he was alive again...

Shinrin wipped her tears on the fur of her shoulder, looking back up to Kaige and letting out a frail laugh. "Look at you..I turn my back and you end up being ripped apart." Tears rolled down her face as she continued to gaze at him. "but.." Her voice cracked up. "Your back now." Shinrin's mind began to wonder...Well, Kaige was alive again...but would he care? Ofcourse he would...well....Kaige had told Shinrin to stop thinking about the worst case scenerio...but then again when she suspected he might have moved on without her, and he yelled at her for thinking so...he actually had moved on without her and found a new mate.

Now that Kaige was back...would he go back to Kali again? Shinrin shook it from her mind. She didnt care anymore! Atleast...knowing Kaige was still alive, even when he wasnt right there...by her side, keeping her safe, making her feel brave, keeping her happy...well...it was better than hearing that he wasnt alive. Shinrin took a step forward, despite her thoughts. "Im...so glad to see your back..."

"Mother..." Phantom spoke to Taikai after she nearly tackled her mother. "I knew you wouldnt let me stay in there..." Phantom snuggled up to Taikai, and Taikai licked her pup. "Ofcourse Phantom..but...thank Shinrin..." She looked up at her sister. "She was the one who came up with the idea..." She smiled. "I always was jealous of her smarts."

Phantom ran over to Shinrin, hugging her leg. "Thank you Aunty...thank you so much..." Shinrin smiled down at Phantom. It was amazing. Never before had she met this pup, and at first glance, Phantom had sent chills down her spine. She never expected Phantom to be such a sweet pup. Phantom let go and looked over at Kaige, smiling. "I dont know who you are...but I can tell my aunt is more than happy to see you." Shinrin looked down at Phantom and blinked. The pup continued. "She gave up one of her own lives to save you..." She looked back up at Shinrin. "And me too...." She gave a yip, then turned and ran to her mother again.

Shinrin glanced away from Kaige, getting the embarrassed, nervous feeling she had when she first met him. She kept her gaze on something in the distance, her cheeks flushing a slight redish color, despite her black fur.

[◕‿◕]

It still didn't make sense, but at least he had figured out he was alive. He was alive and mostly well, but something was missing. He couldn't quite figure out what it was. For the time being, his memory of Kali had faded away. It would come back eventually, or maybe it wouldn't come back at all. He couldn't remember anything from right before he died. It was all black and empty. He shook his head, confusion and mild irritation sweeping across his face. "I wish I were still dead," he grumbled under his breath as he turned and looked away. He was in no mood to deal with anyone, but it looked as if he would have to deal with it. Things didn't always come easily.

[wolfurchick]

Shinrin's gaze quickly turned back to Kaige. She wasnt deaf, and she heard his words. Her head drooped and she frowned. After a long, quiet pause, she looked back up to him, her facial expression showing some anger. "Kaige!" She shook her head. "What was for you back there?!" She hated talking to him like this, but she felt as if she had to. "Back in that dull, grey world. You did nothing but walk around, your mind not even there! I saw you...you looked..." A small tear came to her eye. "It just wanst you Kaige. And...well dammit Kaige! Im supposed to be the emo one not you! Stop whining!"

she glanced away. She was sure it wasnt smart to talk at him like she was angry...but...she had done all that for him...because she loved him. She didnt want him to be dead...she didnt want him to feel like he should be dead...She let out a small sigh, turning back to Kaige. "Look...Im sorry...."

Her head drooped once more. "I just...I love you so much Kaige..." She looked back up to him, eyes teared. "Kaige, I gave up one of my lives, because I wanted you back. I know...you may not want to be with me anymore, but just knowing your alright is worth smiling about! and if I had to...I would have given you my last life...I would have taken your place...." SHe frowned. "But now I hear you dont even want to be alive?" She bit her lip. "I know there has been a lot of drama Kaige...but..." Tears streamed from her eyes. "that doesnt mean you should stay dead! You deserve...a better life. Your life sucked enough..." she glanced away. "Especially with me ruining it and all...."

She gave out a loud sigh, sitting down in the snow. "But...I promise, with all that I can do, that you will have a happy life!"

[◕‿◕]

"Shut up." His voice was low and emotionless. He wasn't looking at her and he wasn't even facing her. In all honesty, he wasn't really paying attention. His mind was elsewhere now. He had a feeling and it wasn't a good feeling. There was something wrong. Something was telling him things were different now. Things wouldn't be the same. It wasn't right... but what was it? He couldn't figure it out and it was beginning to irritate him immensely. He hated it when he couldn't figure out a problem, or when something was bothering him. "Dammit,"

[/i] he growled quietly, looking out into the distance. His eyes had darkened even more so, nearing the color black. His muscles were tense and he was ready to spring at any given second. Something was out of place.[/color][/size][/blockquote][/center]

[wolfurchick]

Shinrin lowered herself to the ground. She...wasnt happy at all to see Kaige...not like this. SHe closed her eyes, the tears still able to escape. After a few, quiet moments of hearing nothing but Shinrin's whimpering, she stood up, walking over to Kaige, despite his anger. "Kaige...." She spoke bravely, tired of being the weakling. "Ive never lied to you yet have I?! If you think I would ever lie to you than Im sorry but your WRONG!"

Her eyes softened as she tried to ignore his angered look. "Kaige I brought you back because you deserve better! and because I friggin LOVE YOU!" Without warning, she sunk her head into his neck fur, rubbing him affectionatly. "Hate me all you want....yell at me...but I will ALWAYS love you Kaige!"

[◕‿◕]

Something snapped inside. It was quick and it was lethal. He jerked away from her as a malevolent growl rumbled in his chest and made its way up his throat. "Don't you dare touch me," he said in a voice that was full of acid. "You think you did me a favor, don't you? You thought that if you brought me back, you'd have another chance with me. Don't deny it." His lips curled back and revealed the pearly white fangs that were hidden beneath them. He was in no mood to put up with her and it was obvious. "Get it through your head. I don't love you. I don't want to be with you. I tried to let you down easy, but I guess I was being too nice. Well, now you've got this. Go cry all you want, I don't care."

He didn't care. He didn't care about anything anymore. It was all gone. Everything. He could feel the anger building and he wasn't going to stop it. It would make him dangerous once it got to rage. And once that happened, there was no stopping him. Nothing could calm him down then. He turned to go, but looked over his shoulder and spoke to her. "Did you ever think that maybe I was supposed to die? Things happen for a reason. You just wanted me back for your own selfish reasons." There was nothing but utter disgust and hatred across his face and in his voice. He was supposed to be dead. It happened for a reason. But, thanks to her... he was back. "And honestly... if you were to drop dead right here in front of me... I wouldn't care." With those last cruel words, he turned away and thundered off into the surrounding forest.

He had had enough.

[wolfurchick]

Shinrin froze. Time stopped. Her mind no longer thought, her heart no longer beat, and....everything she once knew was gone. She sat down, her face calm as if nothing happened. Wihtout as much as a tiny breath, she turned to where Kaige was running off. She didnt cry. She couldnt. "Just to let you know..." She whispered, though sh eknew it was probable that he couldnt hear a word she said. "I never did this for me..." She shut her eyes. "And...for another fact..." She opened her eyes wide. Red swirled through them, anger, blood lust. "I KNOW! I KNOW YOU HAVE NEVER LOVED ME!"

Something took over Shinrin. It wasnt Mori. Not even Mori was heartless, and at least Mori was alive. No, whatever Shinrin was now...it was nothing like Mori. Her flesh became cold, her heart stopped, and she appeared dead as she stood, though she still moved, still talked, and the rage pumped through her veins. A snarl came to her maw as her blood red eyes narrowed. "You believe you were still supposed to be dead? Then why did I come after you? Perhaps you were meant to come back..." She continued even after he was long gone.

"But no matter...if you believe you should be dead..." The ground around her began to slowly break apart. Taikai layed a few yards off, wide eyes and...scared. Even Phantom, a pup who most definetly wasnt scared easily, started to tremble as Shinrin finished her words. "THEN I WILL KILL YOU MYSELF!" A pulse ripped through the ground, sending shards flying everywhere. Taikai quickly defended Phantom. "Shinrin calm down!"

Shinrin's eyes rocketed towards her sister. "DO YOU CALM APON DEATH AS WELL?!" Taikai growled at Shinrin. "Look at you! Dont you see that it is death that changed him?! My Phantom has not changed, because she remained sain in the afterlife, but death has driven Kaige insane! he isnt the one you loved!" Shinrin growled even more feircer, though Taikai did not back down. "LOOK AT YOU SHINRIN!" She snarled back. "Even worse than Sabaku. You gave your own life to Kaige now you just want to WASTE IT?!"

Shinrin snarled feircly. "If I dont then he will!" Taikai walked forward, careful not to fall into one of the newly made holes in the ground. "You wanted him to be happy didnt you?! You admitted it! You did this to give him a life!" She shook her head. "What love that is. To make such a promise...then try to shred his life!" Shinrin's eyes widened with sorrow only slightly. "He doesnt love me...he never has..." The ground around her trembled, but stopped breaking apart. Taikai frowned, walking up to her sister as she put a paw on her shoulder.

"Shinrin...let him go. Just...let him go." Tears began to slip from her eyes, tears made of blood. "If you love him...then you will sit back...let him cool down. He just came out of death damn it!" Shinrin blinked slowly. Eventually, the earth began to settle down, and Shinrin collapsed to the ground. "you know..." She whispered. "Kaige doesnt know...but...I wouldnt have been able to die right in front of him...well...because...I already died the night he told me to leave."

Shinrin shut her eyes, letting out a long, slow breath. Taikai frowned, laying down next to her sister. Phantom returned to her side. Shinrin let out a small laugh. "Never knew how wrong I was...never knew I'd have to see Kali's side to learn...that love isnt about being with the one you love, but making sure the one you love is happy.." Her eyes teared up once more. "But...Kaige isnt happy....and I made him this way."

It was Phantom's turn to talk. "Shinrin....Aunty...what Ive seen in him in both the death realm and here just now...you've loved him even though he absolutly hates you..." She blinked. "But he doesnt hate you." Phantom gave a small smile. "And he may not know it now...but he will be thanking you. Thanking you...for letting him go...."

Shinrin had never heard a more wiser quote than that she heard of that pup. A small smile enclosed her maw. "Your right...your both right...Ive...dont what I can. There is nothing else I can do to try to make him happy..." She slowly returned to her paws, as did Taikai. "So...lets set our sights on something else Taikai." Taikai looked at Shinrin questioningly. "Lets protect out new home..." She frowned. "You know...we are the only ones who can." Taikai nodded. She understood what her sister was saying.

they had to try to kill Sabaku. It was there only chance.