A loving guard (open)

[Xenoxice]

As Aiu adjusted herself so her head rested on his paws a tender smile came over Alastolan's face. "Don't wake me up." Alastolan simply closed his eyes and nodded silently as she closed her eyes and fell asleep. He wrapped his wing around her more completely as more of a shield to protect her. He remained perfectly still as Aiu slept, silently thinking to himself to help pass the time. Thank the gods.... I finally earned her trust a bit. I had hoped to do so sooner..... but she's just such a self-determined and independent individual. I still don't know why I care so much for her. I barely know her aside from her name and a bit about her personality and yet I'm drawn to her. I truly think the gods are trying to sh--. His thought was interrupted by a sound of footsteps over to the right. His ears perked up and he jerked his head in the direction he heard the steps coming from.

It was another wolf. Alastolan lay there just watching silently as it seemed to slowly prowl closer to them. The closer it got he could sense mal-intent from it. A few steps closer and a powerful deep guttural growl started to rise from his throat. He locked his gaze with the other wolf's. It took a few more steps closer. Alastolan used his wing to bring Aiu a bit closer and his growl became louder. This time the other wolf seemed a bit hesitant but took another few steps toward them. Now his razor sharp fangs were starting to show as his maw opened a bit as his growl continued to grow. His eyes had a raging ferocity in them that made his eyes seem to glow with the scowl on his face. This new wolf was testing him to see how aggressive Alastolan was. And it was walking in to a very dangerous area of his personality... his protective instincts. I know I said I wouldn't wake you up Aiu.... and I'm trying my best not to. The wolf was now clearly hesitating and thinking his moves very carefully only taking one step closer. Making sure not to move his paws Alastolan shifted his weight and turned slightly to the wolf with his maw now half open.. teeth showing to the full extent and his vicious guise now even more threatening. To any creature that didn't know him he would appear as a rabid dog. His growl still quiet enough to not wake Aiu, but extremely close to turning in to a ravenous bark. Don't you even DARE think of coming even HALF a step closer to Aiu. Apparently the other wolf was able to sense that a fight with Alastolan would be to the end.... something it wasn't prepared to do.

A slight bark escaped from Alastolan's throat as a final warning and the other wolf began to back off. The further it got away the more calm he became. I'm glad he didn't decide to be a daredevil and try to take me on. The last thing I want to do right now is wake Aiu up after promising I... His thought was cut short as it appears the other wolf hadn't decided to go away but charge full speed towards them thinking he was just bluffing. Alastolan's eyes widened as he looked back to Aiu. DAMNIT ALL! I'm SO sorry Aiu. But I HAVE to do this. He pulled his paws out from under Aiu's head and in an instant was on his feet in an aggressive stance his wings flared out to their full extent. His barking was loud enough that it surely would have rang through the entire forest and showed signs of great power and dominance. Snarling and growling to his full capacity now with an expression of shear malice on his face the other wolf, now petrified from fear, tried desperately to stop his charge but was far too late. Alastolan had already begun bolting head first toward the other wolf and caught one of it's back legs in his mouth, clamping down as hard as he could the other wolf cried out in a howl of pure pain. Alastolan's finely toned body and powerful muscles allowed him to actually pick up the other wolf and throw him through the air smashing one of its front legs straight in to a tree trunk. Another howl of pain and loud whimpering came from the wolf in response to the massive crack that preceded it. It was apparent it's leg was shattered on impact as it slowly limped away with only 2 good legs to walk on.

Alastolan stood up out of his stance and turned back to Aiu who was now SURELY awake. He walked back over to her and layed down hoping he could get her to fall back asleep and be able to assure her that nothing will harm her as long as he's there with her. His head down looking away in slight shame that he woke her up, he began to speak. "I'm sorry I woke you with that commotion Aiu.... but I HAD to protect you. I promised you I would. Forgive me..."

[ulrica]

<sup>Of COURSE there had to be another wolf. The male's movement had aroused the sleeping female, and she was not happy about it. But then she noticed the growling... That turned to snarling... That turned to fighting. Fighting?! Aiu's jade eyes flew open just in time to see the male toss the opposing wolf into a tree. There was a loud crack and the winged she-wolf visibly flinched. This was the side of wolves she could understand, the fighting and killing part. But the winged male didn't kill the intruder. He let him go, wobbling away on two good legs, yelping through his whole escape. Aiu sat up, the viciousness of the male's actions surprising her. Kill him... She thought, confused. He won't survive how he is now... Kill him..! But no, he simply turned back to her, a look comparable to torture on his face. "I had to protect you..." He pleaded, begging the wolfess to forgive him for waking her.

Aiu snorted, a look of disdain crossing her visage. Not for the winged male, no, he had done his part, but for the real wolf who had awoken her. Shoving herself to her feet and fighting the wave of nausea that threatened to force her lunch back up her throat, the young she-wolf walked past the male. Her head was lowered and her wings clamped to her sides as she brushed across his shoulder. She paused for a moment. The thought of what she was about to do heavy on her conscience for some reason. When did it become so hard to kill...? She wondered silently, looking back at the ocean-like eyes of the male. They were so open, so clear, his emotions could be visibly read in them but right then, Aiu didn't want to see them. She knew he must have figured it out, there would be no other reason for her moving. She wanted to make the words come out but looking into his eyes...her voice wouldn't work. Giving a somber sigh, she continued to walk forward. But she couldn't leave him like that. Aiu paused, but didn't look back, she couldn't. "Just.... Don't follow me..." And then she vanished into the trees.

Darkness. The she-wolf could control the shadows, make them meld around her until not even the moon could make her snowy fur glisten. This was her true self, a creature of darkness, the angel of death. Catchy... A bit cynical... But catchy. The she-wolf mused as she followed the scent of the intruder. Nausea threatened to make her collapse, but that didn't matter, not when she had a job to do. She was cold then, her heart hardened by what she was about to do. But she couldn't think about that. The trees passed by her relatively quickly and within minutes of her leaving the male, the intruder came into view. She slowed to a walk, not wanting to overtake him too quickly, but he then quickened his pace. Ah so you can smell me can you... Don't worry my pet, it will all be over soon... Quickening her pace again, Aiu circled around the intruder until he was forced to stop or cross her path. They zig zagged in that manner for a while until finally he stopped and decided to face her. Bad decision... The one who had woken her growled, a rather amusing feat seeing as how he only had two good legs with which to balance. The winged wolf smirked and allowed the shadows to fall away from her, but still standing within darkness the only thing he could see would be the reflection of her eyes. An eery effect to be sure, and only made worse with her opposer's fear. He growled at her, daring her to come closer. She one upped him.

Flaring her wings and stepping forward with the grace and Majesty of a goddess, Aiu locked eyes with the stunned male. Oh yes, she knew this fool thought she was beautiful, and that would be his undoing. She stepped closer, sliding around him with her fur brushing over his, a slight twinge of pain shooting through her wing and shoulder but she ignored it. Her deed needed focus. She paused when her back was toward the male, and he asked a simple question "Why?". Why...? But it wasn't the offender's voice she heard, it was the winged male's. However, turning back, she didn't see him so she put it out of her mind as the poison playing with her head. Giving the intruder a stunning smile, Aiu fluttered her wings then clamped them against her sides, coiling her legs. "Because you woke me up." She replied simply before lunging. Her fangs closed around the male's throat, cutting through his fur and skin like a spoon in water. He gave a yelp of pain then fell, but Aiu didn't quit. His blood spilled into her mouth and stained her white chest a bright scarlet. The male gave a few last death throes then laid still, his pain ending as his life source ceased to flow. Finally, the winged female released her hold on the intruder's throat, staggering back as nausea and dizziness attacked her full force.

The ground rose to meet her and Aiu fell with a quiet thud. "Oh... She muttered as the world went black. Her final thoughts were surprisingly of the winged male. Please... Don't hate me... The adolescent wolfess pleaded silently, before fading into the darkness. Her white form sprawled alongside the lifeless carcass of her opponent.</sup>


((OOC: Argh >.< sorry that's so long heh... I couldn't stop haha))

[Xenoxice]

Alastolan had been laying there as Aiu got up. "Just.... Don't follow me..." Alastolan closed his eyes and nodded. I know where you're going.... and why... please..... be careful. I'll come find you when your deed is done... He sat there with his mind racing, still his eyes closed as he waited. Why? Why do you have to do this Aiu...? He was perfectly still. Unmoving. He stood up and was wondering when he should go after Aiu. "Please... Don't hate me..." Alastolan jerked his head around looking about as he thought he had heard Aiu. She's nowhere around here. But I'm SURE I heard her voi--. His thought interrupted by another thought that passed over. Wait a minute.... if that wasn't her voice I heard... Could it possibly be.... He dashed in the direction he had heard her trod off in as she left. Very soon he happened upon the scent of blood. I knew it. Following the scent back to its source he found not one but TWO wolves lying down on the ground instead of just the wounded one. AIU!! he screamed in his head in a slight panic as he saw so much blood on the ground and around her neck and rushed over to her side. He let out a giant sigh of relief to find that she was fine but just weak and passed out.

Alastolan once again lifted her gently until she was leaning against him instead of the hard ground. With a slight smile on his face he started calmly thinking to himself with a bit of a laugh. Just look at you Aiu. All dirty and passed out. I can't blame you though. And this time when you wake up... I'll still be here by your side. He once again folded his wing around her to hold her close and began to clean her fur while she slept. Nothing will come and disturb you this time. He finally finished cleaning her fur after a bit and just looked at her with such tenderness in his eyes. I could never hate you....

((OOC: It's all good XD I did the same thing in my last post.))

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu's sleep was haunted with visions of her past. Or at least what she could remember of it. Most of it was stained with blood. She was cruel, her heart warped from years of loneliness and regret. It had hardened her into the killer she had revealed that night. Howls echoed through her sleep as she watched herself kill the wounded wolf again and again. Each time more gruesome than the last. Each time more of her opponent's pain being felt. How could she have been so heartless as to murder him, who was she to say he wouldn't have survived? But still, even as she slept, she was able to reason that she was correct. Their world was simply too harsh to have allowed such a wolf to survive, and if he had it wouldn't have been for long. Still why did she feel this regret?

Without warning, the winged male interrupted her dreams. He watched her with disgust, her bloodstained figure suddenly repulsive to him. She begged him to stay, but no matter what she did he still kept walking away from her, never once looking back. No! She had to see his eyes one more time, just once! Running around to his front, Aiu could see that they weren't his eyes however. In fact, this creature didn't even possess wings! The snowy wolfess reeled away from the demon in the male's coat, but quickly found she was no longer on solid ground. Her body plummeted without mercy into nothingness, the urgent flapping of her wings doing nothing to gain any altitude. "No! Noooo!!!!" She howled before darkness and silence enveloped her. There was nothing, simply shadow. And she welcomed it. Anything to get away from that dreadful nightmare. Unbeknown to her, at that moment the large winged male had just laid down beside her, offering-once again-his protection throughout the night. The rest of which, Aiu slept without dreaming again.

It was the sun that finally woke the she-wolf the next morning. The male had fallen asleep sometime during the night curled around her figure, his head resting over her shoulders and his wing covering her protectively. She gave a small smile, touching her nose to his fur ever-so-softly. Then she untangled herself from his side, trying not to wake him. When she was finally able to stand without moving some part of the male as well, Aiu trotted off into the forest; heading back to the pond from the night before. Her head throbbed painfully, but aside from that and some swelling in her shoulder and wing, the wolfess figured she would be back to flying within a day or so. All she needed now was some food and water, the latter of which would come first.

The morning sun's light danced across the ripples of the small pond, creating fiery diamonds on the water's surface. Aiu smiled at the natural beauty of it, then remembered her mess from the night before. Oh yea... She thought absentmindedly, realizing now why there had been two wolves lying around her instead of just one. Looking down to start bathing herself, the she-wolf was surprised to find her job already almost done. Most of the blood had been cleaned from her fur leaving only some red blotches that a quick bath would take out faster than her tongue. So, taking a deep breath, the winged wolfess stepped into the cool water, allowing it to sooth her aching muscles and joint while cooling the fire growing in her shoulder and wing. Every once in a while, she would take a drink of water, the cool liquid running down her parched throat with ease. Who ever thought one could find such bliss in taking a bath...? Aiu mused to herself minutes later before turning and walking out of the water. Her fur was white again, the red stain erased from her snowy coat. The female smiled and shook, water slinging everywhere. The thought of rolling in the dirt crossed her mind, but she instead chose to take in the rays of the sun and allow that to dry her fur. Besides, this way she would be able to catch some more sleep.</sup>

[Xenoxice]

Caught in a deep sleep form staying up so long making sure nothing came near Aiu, Alastolan was exhausted. He thought he had felt the female slowly nudging away from him but he was far too tired to tell. His sleep was dreamless. Much like every other time he slept. His conscious was always clear with no regrets, no true worries and hardly, if any, bad memories. The rising sun had no effect on waking him up but rather it was him stirring in his sleep and he absentmindedly moved his wing and expected Aiu to still be there. For a moment he didn't notice anything but then he woke up a bit. His eyes still closed but now consciously aware of what he was doing and what was around him. When he moved his wing again and felt she was gone, he opened his eyes half way. Still tired from his long night of staying awake.

Alastolan began standing up and stretching trying to move around a bit to wake himself up. Once he was for the most part awake he began looking around. Now where in the world could she have gone off to. I'd like to say she probably went to find some water to clean up since I wasn't able to completely clean her fur last night. She's probably hungry too. I should probably try to track her down before an early morning breeze rolls in and makes things a bit trickier. Alastolan put his keen nose near the ground and began to try and follow the scent of Aiu from where she had layed before to the direction she wandered in. Around in circles he began to track until he finally caught her scent and was able to see which way she had gone. Ah! There we go. Guess I'll look over there first.

Alastolan took to the skies with his wings. For some reason he was even more comfortable flying than he was running. Through the trees he weaved in and out gracefully not hitting even a single twig. It seemed like he had been flying forever but that was more likely in part to he was flying at a comfortable steady pace rather than as fast as he could to make sure he didn't somehow pass by her. A couple more minutes and he stumbled upon a lake where on the shore there stood the snowy white wolfess. While he was glad to find her, the lake looked very inviting. A cool morning dip sounds pretty good right about now. I think I'll do some fishing while I'm in there. Alastolan was a couple feet above the water now when he just let himself drop into it head first with a splash. Looking around beneath the water he could see all kinds of schools of fish swimming around. He swam around a bit searching for the slightly larger fish that he knew were in the lake. A few moments of looking and he found some. A couple of large catfish were slowly swimming around. He began sneaking up on them moving very slowly until he was almost right next to them. His head inched closer and closer until he managed to snap his jaws around one killing it. He let it float to the surface where he would pick it up in a moment as he did the same thing to 3 more.

Once all the fish were dead floating on the surface he grabbed them by the tails in his mouth and proceeded to fly out of the water next to where Aiu was. Soaking wet, his fur dripping puddles of water he dropped 2 of the cat fish right in front of her still holding the other 2 in his mouth. "Ehat. Yhou'll fheel bhetter. Your headache should dishappear too." His words slightly slurred from his mouth being full. He walked a ways away from her before shaking himself off and walking back, laying down and beginning to eat his own fish as he hadn't eaten since noon the previous day.

[ulrica]

<sup>A large splash woke Aiu from her fitted slumber. Once again, she had dreamed of her murder, the savage instinct that had taken over in the second her jaws had closed around the wolf's throat. Red had painted her dreams as it always did. Now, as jade eyes opened to the world, she was thankful for the disruption. Her nightmares were growing more and more vivid...more and more torturous. As the male climbed out of the pond and walked toward the snowy wolfess, she closed her eyes again and simply flicked an ear back to follow his movements as he walked around her. That and a curling of the tip of her tail served as the only acknowledgments to the male's presence.

A soft thud came as something landed in front of her nose. Aiu sighed, irritated at having to open her eyes again, and just to see fish. "Ehat..." The male was saying, his mouth full with his own meal. The female's nose wrinkled with distaste. She had never enjoyed fish, always finding the taste too muddy for her liking. However, she would try it if he had gone to the lengths of catching it for her. Lifting her head slightly, the winged femme tentatively licked down one of the catfish's side...and almost gagged. She audibly growled at the mere taste. Giving a small huff, the wolfess stood and shook out her now dry fur, letting her wings fold comfortable against her side. Taking a deep breath and reveling in the loss of her pain from the snake bite, Aiu sauntered away without saying anything. Not even a thank you or an explanation. He'll follow me anyway so if he wants to know the brute can ask. Besides, he probably needs the extra food more than I do. She mused, sliding into an easy lope.

The forest was alive and bustling that morning, squirrels chattering at birds who shrieked back at them. But Aiu didn't pay any attention to them, she cared more about the scent of deer that had just crossed her charcoal nose. Adjusting her course so that she would circle around them and come at them from upwind, the young wolfess slowed to a trot and then to a slow walk. Finally, the deer came into view. There were two mothers and their fawns, another doe without a fawn, and three bucks. One of the bucks seemed to be older than the rest and eating only the softest grass. She chose him as her target. Now how to do this without making him run too much... Emerald eyes briefly glanced up in the branches, searching for a place where she might be able to leap down on top of him and in doing so break his back, but she could find none that suited her. Aiu sighed, deciding she would just have to suck it up and hunt regularly. Oh well...

The snowy she-wolf silently stalked the old buck, then crawled forward on her belly when she could go no farther standing up. Finally, she had reached striking distance and was merely a couple yards away from the deer. She watched him closely, waiting until he would wander closer. Finally, he did exactly as she had anticipated. There was a small patch of grass to her left and as the buck lowered his head, his neck open and vulnerable to the she-wolf's fangs, Aiu struck. The buck gave a gasping shriek, kicking his razor sharp hooves and tossing is antlers. Aiu's teeth hadn't gotten a good hold and she was quickly thrown, but it wasn't over. Seeing his comrades had deserted him to this winged daemon, the buck lowered his head and charged. The winged wolf dodged easily, wheeling around to face her opponent. But he was taking to long to turn around, no, he was simply running away. Giving an angry snarl, Aiu dug her claws in and took off.

The trees were a blur as the she-wolf raced by them, every once in a while her speed alone causing her paws to lose the ground for a moment. The buck simply couldn't escape this creature, snapping at his hooves and flanks. Once again, he tried to face her but as he skid to a halt and turned sharply to his left-the side Aiu just happened to be on-his neck was again vulnerable. The femme leaped, her entire body colliding with the buck as her iron-like jaws closed around the deer's throat. The buck tried to get away but only seceded in tripping, then her weight drug him down. He kicked at her with his sharp hooves and some blows landed rather painfully, but they were easily ignored as his sweet blood spilled into her mouth. Finally, he gave a few last kicks and then fell still, his eyes glassing over as death claimed him.

Aiu released her prey, her entire muzzle from her cheeks down to the middle of her throat and out to the tip of her nose covered in a satin coat of bright red. She licked her nose to get most of the blood off, then started in on the buck. Her teeth sliced easily through his soft belly and his flesh fell almost of its own accord into the she-wolf's mouth. A grim smile curled her lips as she ate. Better than fish any day..</sup>

[Xenoxice]

Alastolan layed there eating his fish as Aiu walked up and away after only licking it once. He simply watched her while eating without saying anything. Oh well. Guess she isn't a very big fish person. More for me! He smiled as he finished his two and walked over to grab the 2 he had layed by the wolfess. Just like the previous ones, he scarfed them down relatively quick. He got up stretching out, now fully awake and began to jog in the direction Aiu had vanished. It wont be too hard to find her... And that it wasn't as he soon caught the scent of blood being carried in a slight early morning breeze. He smirked slightly. Knew it. Alastolan started jogging now following the scent in the air until she came in to view. A dead deer lying before her. He slowed his jog down to a calm walk before blurting out loud. "YOU KNOW.... You could have just said you don't like fish and I would have gotten you something else." Alastolan walked to the other side of the deer flopped down with a slight thump. "You know you don't have to be so darned closed off."

(( OOC: Eh sorry for such a short reply >.<' I don't think well at 3 a.m lol ))

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu's ears flicked around as she heard the male running through the forest. She was suddenly glad that the hunt had been a quick one as he wasn't being very quiet. Big oaf... She growled silently, scowling as her slicked muzzle dipped into the deer's stomach for another mouthful of the sweet meat. Pulling her head away and swallowing her food almost whole, the young female looked up in time to see the male walking out of the forest. Pausing in her meal she watched him walk around her kill and flop down, talking the whole time. Idiot... With an angry snarl Aiu leaped up, her momentum carrying her front paws over the deer's ribs and bringing them down mere feet away from the male. She gave him a vicious glare, something about her actions seeming more dangerous than normal and giving an obvious message: Get.Back.Now.

"I don't make it a habit of mine to eat another's kill. And I never eat fish." She growled, before actually replying to what he had said. "If you think I'm closed off, and if you want my trust, then earn it." A note of finality played in her words, but she didn't move back to eating. Instead, Aiu stood over her kill possessively, glaring daggers at the male. "Now. You can stay this close or you can do the smart thing and back off." Then she was finished speaking and truly did just stand there and glare, a thin cut above her left eye revealing itself then as her only battle wound.

"You don't have to be so darned closed off..." The male's words echoed in her head, driving her insane. If only you knew... I don't deserve any other life... A sad look crossed through her gemstone eyes. Only briefly, but it had still been there. As Aiu regained control of her emotions, she hoped the male hadn't seen it.</sup>


((OOC: Haha it's cool, I know how that goes xD))

[Xenoxice]

As Aiu's paws landed over the deer, right in front of him he just looked at her with the glare she was giving him. He knew she was starting to challenge him and he wasn't backing down. "If you think I'm closed off, and if you want my trust, then earn it." Alastolan squinted his eyes in slight distaste before responding in a stern tone. "And I suppose the fact I drove that other wolf off and saved your life doesn't warrant ANY trust at all right? You were sound asleep and weak. And if you had trusted me and I wasn't being honest with you about protecting you, he would have KILLED you with ease as you layed there defenseless. Even when I was growling right beside you, you didn't move an inch or wake up in the slightest until after I pulled away. I could have very well left your sorry behind there to rot as he feasted on your corpse."


"Now. You can stay this close or you can do the smart thing and back off." Alastolan's eyes filled with power and resolve, an angry expression now spread across his face. The tone in his voice had become deep and threatening as he spoke through barred teeth. "I'm. Not. Moving. And if you REALLY want to walk down this road to fighting me, then you better pray to whatever gods will listen to you for a miracle. A fight with me is to the finish and nothing less. I've fought countless malignant creatures that tried to take advantage of my kindness and if it wasn't for my fur being as thick as it is you'd see just how many scars I have to prove it. Now BACK. OFF." He sat there and watched intently in Aiu's eyes, his will unyielding and steeled. A moment of relapse revealed a change in emotion in her eyes and he saw it plain as day.

With a 'hmph' he continued but in a more gentle yet still firm tone but his teeth were no longer barred. "You know you're EXACTLY like my mother. Just as stubborn as she is and too blind to see what you have RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU..... Constantly looking back living in the past of what has already transpired instead of looking ahead to the future and living in the present with what you have. You HAVE... ME. It's your choice whether or not you want to keep me or not." He paused for a moment still looking in her eyes his tone much more gentle than before now. The stern look in his eyes had vanished, replaced by the look of a wise and experienced creature. With a sigh, he continued. "When my brother and sister died at birth my mother was DEVASTATED. She was depressed and each day she woke up she hardly even knew that I existed, still living in the shadow of the moment they died, too caught up in the past to realize what she had in front of her in the present and the future.... me, my father and the time we would spend together. If it wasn't for my father snapping her back to reality every day, she would have been driven insane thinking she was all alone. What's done is done Aiu you can't change the past, but you CAN change what you do now. You can't hate yourself for things you had no control over or your past deeds. Having the courage to accept those facts is what it means to have TRUE strength. The strength of your heart." Alastolan stood up, turned his back to Aiu and began to walk away. Once he was a few feet away he turned his head and looked at her again. "We all have our demons Aiu. It's how we choose to deal with them that dictates how we live in the present. You can let them rule your life and force you to dwell on that which is gone or you can overpower and overcome their influence and love the life you live with those willing to live it with you and LOVE YOU." His voice began to shake with a nervous shyness as he admitted clearly to Aiu what he was feeling. "Like ME." A deep sorrow came into his eyes at the last moment as he closed his eyes and slowly turned his head away. He began walking slowly away from Aiu with his head down slightly praying. Gods..... I'm BEGGING you now.... Please.. Let... Me... Get... Through to her. I know she needs someone like me in her life. Show her the way to her salvation and let her see there is ALWAYS light in a dark world.

(( OOC: For some reason I REALLY like the way this post came out ^_^. Probably because in the end it clearly expressed his feelings. Especially his hint to Aiu in the last sentence he spoke. ))

[ulrica]

<sup>Eachword he said struck home and Aiu staggered beneath the weight of his truth. No... Let him go, it's for the best. One voice said, yelling at her to run and not look back. No! You must make him stay! He's right and you know it! Don't lose your only friend over something as silly as pride! Another voice argued. Aiu... Forget your head for a moment, and do what you feel is right. Strange... She had never heard that voice before... Could it have been... No of course, not, she wasn't stupid. And yet... A vision of the past almost sent her reeling toward the ground before she could think about the voice any more. A male and female fighting; biting at each other viciously with tufts of fur and...feathers?flying everywhere? Something tugging at her tail to make her run, and she too foolish to budge. Agonized yelps as one of the fighters lost their battle and the life blood that ran through their veins ceased to flow. Pain flaring in her own body now as her life blood was threatened to cease. But it hadn't... Aiu shook her head, chasing these memories away with some difficulty. They always came this way, in times of emotion they bombarded her with even more bewilderment and hurt.

Whimpering slightly, the snowy she-wolf stepped anxiously over the carcass, feeling sick and torn. Her stomach churned and her head spun, no longer with dizziness but with pure emotion that had escaped her control. "Don't..!" She began, her voice breaking and her paws stopping of their own accord. "I... Please..." She whimpered again and sort of crouched, her wings clamped tightly to her sides and her jaw clenched while her tail curled tightly against the outside of a hind leg. Finally, a broken sigh came from her stained muzzle and something inside her seemed...less. "I never had a family... I never learned how to care... And now that I do...I don't know how to handle it. I've kept myself hidden away for so long because I had to keep the truth from everyone, even myself. I figured if I never said it out loud, never truly believed, then it wouldn't be real. They would still be there somewhere, just waiting for me to find them and maybe looking for me too." She swallowed hard, trying to keep her throat open long enough for her to convince this male that he had to stay. "My family was gone before I got a chance to remember them... Please don't make me say that about you too..." Her voice was hardly more than a whisper when she finished, emerald eyes squeezed shut against the world and its shadows.

With a short gasp, she turned away, clenching her jaw to hold back the howl growing in her throat. "I've lost my appetite... You can have the rest..." Aiu breathed, unable to look back at him. She walked a couple yards away the curled up in a tight ball, her tail wrapped around and under her muzzle with her left wing covering her head and most of her body. "I don't even know your name..." She whispered quietly in the confines of her feathered prison.</sup>

[Xenoxice]

Alastolan stopped walking away after his prayer had ended and he heard the female say "Don't..!". He stood there without moving still with his back turned while his eyes started to fill with hope. "I... Please...". He turned his head slightly but not far enough to be able to look at Aiu. As she began to reveal what was hidden for so long, he turned far enough to look at her. Her thoughts and feelings flowed forth and Alastolan stood, listening to every word she had spoken. His heart wept for Aiu but he was also very proud of her at the same time. "My family was gone before I got a chance to remember them... Please don't make me say that about you too...". A slight smile at the corners of his mouth surfaced as he looked at her with relief, knowing deep down she wanted him to stay. As she stated she had lost her appetite he almost completely ignored the comment. Far too preoccupied to even think of eating. Even with such keen ears he was barely able to hear what Aiu had spoken with most of her body covered by her wing in such a gentle whisper. But he still managed to catch it enough to understand it. "I don't even know your name..."

Turning to face Aiu now he walked around the dead deer and curled himself up so he would be facing her directly. Merely inches away. He gently nudged her wing out of the way with his head before speaking. "It's Alastolan." His voice, laden with kindness and so gentle, his eyes were sparkling like crystals in sunlight as powerful emotions were running wildly through them. "I'm proud of you Aiu. You found the courage laying inside you to reveal the strength of your own heart. The courage to face your past and openly reveal your thoughts and feelings to another. It's that courage that will allow you to overcome and rid yourself of all that haunts you. You demonstrated just now that you have incredible strength and possess the ability to confront your demons head on. The darkness that has plagued you for so long has begun to disappear as the light in your heart becomes brighter. And I can see it in your eyes." One thought in particular kept running through his mind over and over that Aiu had said. "My family was gone before I got a chance to remember them... Please don't make me say that about you too...". The thought that would lead him to ask one of the most important things he ever has in his life.

"You don't need to worry about me ever being gone before you get to know me and having to say you didn't get a chance." His heart was starting to beat faster with each word he spoke. "Aiu.... I...." He paused momentarily before gathering himself again. "You don't have to worry about me ever leaving your side..... I'll stay by it...." He was starting to shake a bit from being nervous, knowing full well what he was about to say and ask, and not knowing what Aiu's response would be. "Forever.... If you'd...." Again, he hesitated his mind racing and his heart beating even faster than his thoughts went through his head of him seeing the countless outcomes to this situation, most of which he would dread but one... just one that would make him happier than anything ever has. He breathed deeply and closed his eyes. "If you'd allow me to be your mate...." For a moment he thought his heart had stopped until he gathered this thoughts. "If you would give me someone to care for.... someone to be with happily for the rest of my life....... someone.... like you." He opened his eyes and looked directly into Aiu's as he lay there so close to her. Passion and love flowed through them like an ocean's waves, clearly seen by any who looked in to them. They showed his sincerity, care and above all else his affection. "I'll give you someone you can care for. Someone you can trust with your life and know that they would do EVERYTHING in their power to guard it. Someone to spend your days with knowing you'll NEVER be alone again. And hopefully.... someday.... children..... A family you can love and spend countless time with and watch them grow." Please.... don't let me have just made the wrong move. "Aiu, will you be my mate?" He began thinking to himself in silent prayer, hoping she would accept his offer.... and him.

[ulrica]

<sup>"Aiu, will you be my mate?"

Mate... Mate... The word echoed endlessly in her head. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't speak, coherent thought was well beyond her at that point. With agonizing slowness, Aiu rose and backed away. An annoying thudding repeated over and over in her head, and a few minutes later she realized it was her own heartbeat. You knew this would happen. What did you expect? A voice said, filled with disdain. And now you're going to run away and act like nothing has happened. Like everything is all right when you know full well it isn't.

As Aiu gaped at Alastolan, his dark form mere feet away from hers, thoughts and fears as well as wishes and dislikes raced through the young femme's head. He could stay with her forever and provide for her, give her the family she had always wanted. But was that really what she wanted? Now, as the choice was thrown into her path, so obtrusively blocking her continuing on with her life, the snowy wolfess found herself unsure and more than a little frightened. Of course he would protect her and of course he would love her, but he was older. His wants and preferences were clear in his mind while for Aiu they were only just beginning to form. So what do you want youngling...? He won't wait forever. No, he wouldn't wait forever and she knew that. So why was she hesitating? The answer yes should have flown from her mouth with lightening speed, so why did her tongue suddenly clamp to the roof of her mouth and refuse to do anything other than suddenly act as cotton?

So do you love him? The question echoed in her head, ricocheting against the cavernous expanse of the she-wolf's mind. And are you willing to love him forever? With all honesty, the adolescent female could say she didn't know. He was a dear friend, and one she would be devastated to lose, but did she love him as a woman must love a man? His ocean-like eyes watched her, the green and blue of his gaze suddenly unnerving as she found herself turning away. Then don't answer... A small voice suggested, rationally in her head. It was an underhanded way of avoiding a question, but Aiu felt she had no other choice. Mother.... Father.... Guide me please.... Put my paws on your path and let me follow your footsteps.... Tell me what I should do... She prayed, hoping that somewhere out there, a greater power would hear her plea and feel generous enough to help.

Tensing herself for the anger she assumed would come, the lithe female forced herself to meet Alastolan's gaze. She crept forward and nuzzled her cheek against his slightly, whispering as she did so. "Stay with me always... My knight forever..." She nudged his neck with her black nose then padding silently over to the deer. Her wings hung lower than usual, the tips of her pilot feathers dragging the ground a bit. Now her nose nudged at the belly of the buck before flopping down in front of it and once again starting to eat.

The taste no longer reached her tongue.</sup>

[Xenoxice]

Alastolan lay there, watching Aiu's reaction to his question. He had expected it to be a bit of a shock to her, but something just wasn't adding up right in his mind. Her reaction is a bit... off. She seems like she's confused. And.... frightened...? Sitting there thinking to himself, all the while waiting, he mulled over what was happening in his head. Lost in thought watching her, she finally gave her answer. "Stay with me always... My knight forever...". His ear twitched a bit sensing something was amiss in the tone of her voice. As she went over and layed down by the deer he remained where he was for a few moments before he got up and moved over beside her. Looking at her once again he spoke. "Are you sure? It seemed you were having a very difficult time coming up with an answer. You don't have to say yes and rush it just because I was waiting for an answer. If you change your mind now because you're uncertain it won't affect our friendship in the least."

(( OOC: Very short reply, yes, sorry bout that lol. ))

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu sighed before turning around again, licking blood from one side of her muzzle. "Alastolan... You are very important to me, but..." She hesitated, unsure of what she wanted to say. "I want you with me forever... But I'm not sure how I want you yet..." She finally finished, her voice quiet and gentle. Jade eyes watched the large male, the only one of her kind and here she was turning him away... No, not turning him away... Merely asking for time. A voice in her head reasoned, but she knew it was wrong. She wouldn't run to him for the love of a man... Perhaps someday the love of a father, but for now the love of a friend was all she could give.


((OOC: lol that's cool xD mine is short too ))

The slender she-wolf stepped forward and bumped her head under his jaw. "You may hate me if you want... I would understand... You don't have to act like everything is alright..." She whispered into his fur, squeezing her eyes shut as she waited for his reply...</sup>

[Xenoxice]

Alastolan stood there as Aiu responded, listening carefully to what she was saying. As she replied, he began to smile slightly knowing that she was being open and honest with him. "I want you with me forever... But I'm not sure how I want you yet..." As he heard this, Alastolan closed his eyes and nodded in approval of her answer. "That's perfectly fine Aiu. We'll just remain friends until you finally decide. There's no need to rush anything so take all the time you need. It matters not to me how things develop or how long it takes as long as you're certain of your decision when the time comes and you know it's right. Just listen to what your heart tells you and everything will always be clear. Don't listen to your head. It tries to think rationally but most of the time, it's the least rational answer... that is the best choice."

He was happy that she was learning to trust him and able to get so close without it being a negative experience. As she bumped him under his chin and spoke, "You may hate me if you want... I would understand... You don't have to act like everything is alright...", he simply closed his eyes and smiled while leaning his head over her neck before replying. "The only thing I could ever truly hate in this world is evil. I don't act like everything is fine because everything IS fine. My heart tells me when things will work out and when they won't and I listen to it without question. It has never failed me once my entire life and I know yours won't fail you either. When you understand this, then everything will work out."