Finding a home

[kcraner]

Kaal pounded through the rain after Aiu his heavy foot-falls and his massive coat coming in to brace for the winter the was about grip these mountains in a steel grip, didnt help making him feel 30 pounds heavier due to the wetness of his fur. He struggled for every inch of ground, the storm was reaching its peak he could tell the torrents of wind lashing and whipping him with icy cold rain, Lightning crackled across the sky then thunder boomed resounding of the mountain peaks echoing across the low bases of the giants of nature. Kaal knew right where he was going....with one final barage of lightning and the blastwaves of thunder threatining to deafen him he saw the cave mounth. as he neared it the scent of blood nearly over powered the other two wolves he knew must surly be insde the cave. Kaaluk took a moment to compse himself outside the cave, out of sight of the wolves inside, he caught his breath stood up as tall as his could his muscles straining under the wieght of his soaked coat, they were bulging to the max, his beautiful Brown and gray flecked coat looked black due to its wetness. Kaal Took one step inside the mouth of the cave and saw right away the eyes of on wolf glaring at him "ah the one so eager to issue threats...." he thought to himself, He began to analyze the new foe for any weakness but stopped hims self "I'm not here to fight....Get it under control Kaal come on....not everyone is an enemy, Dont start with threats and dont make any threating moves and they have no reason to threaten me or attack me." he thought to him self. Kaal looked back up and now saw the eyes of all three wolves upon him. He moved to the left hand corner side of the cave, still at the mouth of the cave, but hidden from the elements at least. "Unless you ask me too. let me get some sleep......please.....then we can talk.....I have spent the last three days awake and sleepless one night of which I cared for the black one wounds....that I inflicted. It was the least I could do." Kall looked over at the black one as she glared at him eyes ablaze, hate, fury, the look of a killer....right befroe she knows the kill is hers no matter what. Kaal feared for his life throught out the night this time. But somehow...he knew Aiu and the male would keep him safe...not let the female kill him. Besides....He was going to apologize. If they had any kind of loving side to them, any kind of side that knew it would be wrong to let the dark female kill him through the night, that they would stop her.

[ulrica]

<sup>The winged male's and Aiu's easy banter was proof they were good friends. Quickly the fear and turmoil of her dream began to wash away with the waves of pain that unfortunately remained. The male's wing around her was comforting, and now with Aiu back she felt truly at ease. "She however got quite a bit... Now come here you look like your freezing." The snowy she-wolf had wandered closer to them and now the dark male lifted his wing and managed to pull her down beside them. Ula smiled and she returned her head to her paws, though this time she was more stretched out instead of curled into her usual ball. A doze began settling over her, the pain receding into little more than a memory as sleep drifted over her and-- "I don't even know your name. Mine's Alastolan." Gods... And I was almost asleep too. The midnight furred she-wolf groaned internally, fighting the urge to growl at him.

Lifting her head and forcing a smirk to slide onto her lips, Ula replied with the hard tones of a woman scorned. "Ula. Ula is my name, Alastolan, though I'm sure Aiu could have told you that as I am also sure you were aware of my falling back to sleep. On that subject, yes I did sleep a lot but I have also just been mauled by a deranged male." She paused briefly, taking a breath to smooth the snarl from her voice and lay her hackles flat again. "Now, I am sorry if you didn't sleep at all but I will not take the blame for that. I neither wanted nor asked for your protection. Seeing as I am still alive, I think it's obvious I can take care of myself." Her lecture ended in a vicious growl and she jerked out from under his wing, ignoring the worried stares from Aiu as she stumbled a few feet away and collapsed onto her side. Her breath came in short pants and pain flared anew within the many wounds that stained the dark fur a satin-like crimson. Gods if-- Her thoughts instantly stopped as an all too familiar scent hit her nose. A growl came from her maw and she was instantly back to her paws, though the effect of her dangerous facade was somewhat lessened by the shaking of her slender legs.

How dare he show his face here?! I swear I'll rip his throat out this time! She threatened silently, some small voice telling her to hold back her words for simply the sake of peace. When he spoke she was almost glad she had...almost. "Let me get some sleep....please..." Hmpf, so the pup wants sleep huh? Well maybe I'll put him in a rest he won't wake up from... Never-the-less she laid down in a strangely docile mood, the only hints of her true feelings being the angry glares she shot at the male.


Al's wing was warm and comforting around Aiu's side and she snuggled into his muscled ribs, licking his neck affectionately. "Thank you, sir, I suppose I'll have to refrain from pestering you for the remainder of the day now won't I?" She joked, nudging his shoulder playfully with her charcoal nose. "And as for your weather statement, you should know by now it takes more than a little sprinkle to keep me down." She laughed then curled her head to rest it on his shoulders directly above his wings. She would have made another joke about how he felt a little more cushiony than usual, but he spoke then and kept her silent. He asked Ula for her name and she replied...meanly. Aiu blinked with surprise, lifting her head and starring at the shadowy female who now detached herself unceremoniously from Al's protective embrace and staggered a few feet away to collapse on her own. She snorted then returned her head to Al's back, closing her eyes.

He was warm and his fur soft, it reminded her of lying in a meadow during the summer. But all-too-quickly that was gone as a familiar scent hit her nose. Kaal!? So he had followed her back after all. He pleaded with rest, a glint in his eyes that reminded her of...something she couldn't quite remember... Oh well, guess I can't know everything. She sulked silently. Ula's growl was cut silent as she laid back down. Strange.... She usually doesn't give in so easily when she's angry... Still...I guess I shouldn't fight her change of attitude. I just hope Al didn't take her little outburst too personally... Aiu watched Kaal with apathetic eyes, their jade almost seeming to glow in the darkness. With these two in the same room, it was obvious she wouldn't be getting much sleep...</sup>

[Xenoxice]

Alastolan looked at Aiu as she spoke to him. "Thank you, sir, I suppose I'll have to refrain from pestering you for the remainder of the day now won't I?" Laughing a bit he replied. "What's with the 'sir' thrown in?" He continued laughing and finished speaking. "You know I don't mind helping you out Aiu. You can ask me for a favor anytime." She spoke once more and his head cocked to the side slightly. "And as for your weather statement, you should know by now it takes more than a little sprinkle to keep me down." As she laughed he simply smiled and replied. "Of course I knew it wouldn't KEEP you down...." He lifted his head to look up slightly towards the cave roof but turned his eyes to look back at her with a sly smile on his face and look in his eye. "Buuuut..... I was ALSO right in knowing that the so called 'little sprinkle' would SLOW you down..." The smirk remained on his face and he chuckled quietly. His ears perked up as he heard the response from the wolfess as he had asked for her name before talking to Aiu. "Ula. Ula is my name..." Ula.... That name sounds familiar. I think I heard Aiu talk about her before a few times.... His mind tried to remember where he heard the name before causing him to blank out on the remainder of her sentence and not even hear it. This was quickly interrupted by her talking again in a slightly less agitated tone. "Now, I am sorry if you didn't sleep at all but I will not take the blame for that. I neither wanted nor asked for your protection. Seeing as I am still alive, I think it's obvious I can take care of myself." As she got up forcefully and stumbled, Alastolan just layed there watching, allowing her to try on her own. "I never said I blamed you nor did the thought ever once cross my mind. I stayed up of my own accord to protect you. And yes it's clear you can take care of yourself well enough but you know as well as I do that you would have been in no condition to defend yourself if you were attacked AGAIN while you were sleeping. EVERYONE has their limits. You are no exception Ula. You need your rest." All the while speaking Alastolan looked at her with kind and sincere bi-colored eyes and a calm tone that held truth.

The scent of the other male wolf suddenly hit his nose and his presence confirmed by the reaction from Ula. Standing she got into an aggressive stance. Alastolan looked at her and concern filled his eyes as he watched her legs carefully. She's still really weak.... reminds me of all those occasions with Aiu. Even if she feels the effects of her pain and fatigue she still tries to act tough... if she tried anything it would be a huge mistake in her position. Very closely he monitored the situation, looking back and forth between Ula and the male, slightly tensed up ready to intervene in an instant if any conflict arose. When he asked for sleep and Ula backed off laying down, Alastolan relaxed. I guess she's just in a bad mood being hurt like she is. I don't blame her for her earlier rudeness. That's probably the cause of it. He looked down at Aiu still resting nuzzled against him. "Get some rest. I know it was a bit tiring traveling in that storm. I'll make sure nothing happens between those two. You have my word."

[kcraner]

Kall was woken up by a Boom of thunder as it rumbled across the low dark and heavy clouds, he was pleased to see that the rain had slowed to a drizzle....fot he moment at least. Kaal looked about the cave and noticed the others wer asleep it was early morning, So he began at a slow trot to hunt, sure enough not a quarter mile from the cave he found a small group of rams, three males seven females and a bunch of smaller rams. He charged them right in the open and ran down the nearest male, he sank his fangs into its neck breaking it with a quick twist. upon releasing his vice like grip he charged the other rams. within 15 minutes thanks to the rams slowing down and coming to a stop every so often, Stupid creatures, He had brought down 5 rams, 2 males and three females. He drug the kill one at a time to the first kill, then he dragged the two smallest females to the den and came back to get the largest female and drug it back as well, the massivve males took much longer almost twice as long for each of them to get them back to the cave the whole process taking about and hour or so. Once he had finnaly arrived with the last ram, the first one he had killed he Spoke in his most pleasent voice, "Breakfest, Get it while its still warm" one by one the other wolves seemed to stir and wake up, Kaal went back to his kill the first ram he had hunted down, the meat was cold, this displeased Kaal he could only hope it was warm for the rest of the rams, the male he ate was the smaller male. he could only hope the others would be pleased with his efforts, "step one, get apology Breakfast. Check." he thought to himself

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu's sleep had been surprisingly dreamless throughout the night. The rage of the storm superseding that of her subconscious and apparently having a relieving affect on her nightmares. Added to the close proximity of Alastolan and his promise to watch over everyone, her slumber had been relatively pleasant. Now, as her body shook away the blanket of sleep, a small twitch came from her black nose. I wonder what that scent could be...? She wondered, opening her heavy eyes. Glancing at Ula to make sure she was still alive and not trying to kill any one this early, the adolescent she-wolf gave a small smile at the sight of the female still sleeping. In such a state, one could almost think she was vulnerable...almost. However, Aiu knew only too well exactly how acute Ula's senses were, and how deadly her wrath could prove to be if enticed. But there was that smell again, tempting her to investigate. Well, no one's ever said curiosity killed the wolf did they? She mused silently to herself, allowing her head to turn in the direction of the mouthwatering smell even as Kaaluk called them to wake up and eat. Her gemstone eyes grew almost three times in size and she sprang to her feet. "Kaal you got us breakfast?!" The suddenly puppy-like she-wolf cried triumphantly, bounding over to her friend and treading quite impolitely on Al as she did so. "Oh gods, these look great! I'm starved!!!" She darted to his side, rubbing against his massive bulk and licking his jaw briefly before darting away again in a whirlwind of feathers and snowy fur.

Choosing one of the smaller females - she didn't eat that much and didn't want to waste a lot of good meat - her jagged fangs made quick work on the thin skin covering its underbelly. Warm flesh spilled out into her mouth. Blood coated her tongue and she gave an involuntary shudder at the succulent taste. Swallowing, Aiu lifted her head and shot Al a grin. "Come on lazy bones!! Share with me!" She teased wryly before digging back into her breakfast.


Two eyes watched her without end. Their double colors haunting her throughout the night. "No condition to defend yourself if you were attacked AGAIN while you were sleeping..." Those words echoed again and again, reminding the dark she-wolf of the weakness she faced. You'll never be good enough. A sinister voice snarled out of the darkness somewhere behind those glowing bi-colored orbs. Your moment will come and you will fail. Just.like.last time... The voice laughed wickedly, making Ula's consciousness cringe away. But even as she made the movement to retreat, the dream began to fade and drift away as if it was little more than smoke. With painful slowness, the charcoal black femme's eyes opened. Well, one did anyway. Her left however was swollen and crusted shut with dried blood from her wound the previous day. Even her good right eye was blood-shot and hurt some.

The dark she-wolf pushed herself into a sitting position as a familiar scent hit her nose. Meat! She lurched forward noticing Aiu already digging into one of the many carcasses strewn around the cave. She always was a good hunter... But this is a lot. Especially for her... She thought slightly bewildered as her eyes scanned around the small enclosure. Too quickly, orbs of quicksilver fell upon the giant figure of a wolf who had won her animosity. But he's brought you food... A quiet voice mentioned ever so rationally. Oh shut up. The stupid brute had probably found a way to poison it... She snapped back, knowing full well that even if he had her own poison would protect her. So, grudgingly, Ula slowly and painfully limped toward the closest carcass: a young ewe whose neck had been snapped clean in two. Impressive... The midnight furred wolfess caught herself thinking as her sharp fangs cut into the ewe's back. The warm meat fell into her mouth, steam rising from the still warm flesh.

While she ate, the she-wolf let her eyes wander over the three other wolves. There was the brute who had attacked her, his brawn obviously holding dominance over his brain. Then there was Aiu, the lithe little creature that could smile at you so lovingly even as she slid her fangs across your neck. And lastly, there was the second winged wolf whom had introduced himself as Alastolan. On this figure her eyes lingered. His large form was muscled enough so that it showed, but not in a grotesque nature. The large wings that protruded from his sides were just as beautiful as the rest of him if not more so. However, the most strikingly handsome feature she found on this creature would have to be his eyes. Their gem-like appearance mesmerized her as if she was actually staring into the hypnotic depths of a tropical ocean. Once again, the words from her dream came drifting back through her mind and she turned her gaze back to her food before something like sorrow could creep upon her already shadowed visage.

You'll never be good enough....


What was that...? Aiu blinked at Ula's lingering gaze as it crossed over Al. Could it be.. She let the thought drop and jerked her head toward Kaal who was at that time stuffing his face. She snorted and leaped toward him, tugging roughly on the scruff of his neck in an attempt to get him to follow her. "Come on you pig, you stink! Let's get you a bath before you ruin my appetite!" The winged she-wolf teased with a wicked grin. Suddenly she released him and twirled around to prance toward the cave mouth, shooting Al a 'don't you dare say a word' glare that she knew only he would be able to read. Reaching the cave entrance, she stopped and turned around to wait for Kaal. "Hurry uuuuup." She whined, swishing her tail impatiently across her heels. "It's just sprinkling now and it'll let up soon so let's go!" And let Ula have her chance! She added silently, thoroughly enjoying her role of playing match-maker.</sup>

[Xenoxice]

Alastolan had been keeping his eye's peeled the entire night making sure no trouble arose between Ula and the other wolf. Anytime he got tired he napped for ten or fifteen minutes before opening his eyes to make sure it stayed quiet. This continued the entirety of the stormy night. Luckily for him no conflicts arose so he could remain still and not be forced to awaken Aiu. When it started becoming lighter outside he watched with half close eyes as the male wolf got up. His muscles tensed for a moment as he wondered what the wolf was up to. But as he saw him walk out of the cave he relaxed again. Waiting and waiting finally he saw the wolf bring back some food he smiled slightly with his face still in the shadows. Well well well.... looks like he isn't such a bad guy after all. It's apparent he's sorry if he's bringing breakfast. There's no way he got that much just for himself. Alastolan had noticed Aiu starting to smell the meal that was awaiting her. He looked at her and just stood there smiling to himself knowing what she would act like. And sure enough it was just as he expected. "Kaal you got us breakfast?!" Yep I knew it.... there's the shock now here comes... *Oof!* His thought was interrupted by her stepping on him to pounce over to the meal. Oh yea.... that's Aiu for ya.... Nothing stops her from getting to a nice meal in the morning. He began laughing to himself quietly. She'll run over just about anyone I'd say to get to it first. "Come on lazy bones!! Share with me!" he noted her gaze on him as she said this and laughed. "Okay okay. You don't need to be in such a rush Aiu your breakfast isn't going anywhere. One would think with the way you act it could vanish in to thin air at any moment." He teased while smiling.

Standing up Alastolan began to stretch his wings and refined muscles, clearly visible while his wings were flared outward to their full length. Yawning while stretching he began to walk over to the ram that Aiu had started to eat completely oblivious to the fact that Ula had been looking at him just moment ago. Looking over at the one Aiu revealed as 'Kaal', Alastolan bowed his head down in thanks to him for the rams he had brought in and layed beside Aiu. he had barely gotten off a few bites before Aiu had leaped off towards Kaal. "Come on you pig, you stink! Let's get you a bath before you ruin my appetite!" He followed her movements and with her saying that one of his brows raised a bit and the other lowered in slight confusion. But surely you've smelled him this whole time and showed no response to it so why would.... That thought quickly dissipated as he looked at the glance Aiu gave him. It was one she had used many times before that he had gotten to know very well... don't you dare say a word. What the.... Tilting his head sideways a little he listened as she kept trying to get Kaal out of the cave. "Hurry uuuuup.". Alastolans mouth opened a crack and he squinted his eyes a bit still trying to figure out what was going on. What are you up to Aiu..... why are you in such a hurry to get him out of here? "It's just sprinkling now and it'll let up soon so let's go!" Wait a minute.... Are you.... His gaze turned to Ula then to Aiu again. You are aren't you! You're intentionally trying to leave us alone together! He gave Aiu a glare showed he knew what she was up to and was shocked at her doing such a thing but at the same time he had a smile on his face knowing exactly why she was doing it.

[kcraner]

Upon Finishing his meal Kaaluk Looked up at the others and waited fro them to finish eating before he spoke. First he looked at the drak Female "I am so so sorry for what I did to tyou the other night. I was starving and hadent eaten since the day before. I was in Pure killer mode. I know that this is no excuse for the way I acted But I beg that as time wears on you find it within you to forgive me. even if years go by before you can forgive I beg that you do." Kall then Turned his attention to the other two, He examined the male and his stature, the way he held himself, He was much more Musculed then Aiu But not nearly as bulky as Kall, However with the added Bonus of thos wings he would be just as agile as Aiu if just a little less due to his mass. Kaal Pretty Much Figured that if the time ever came he would be a very tough fight but if Kall got the jump on him or pinned those wings...it would be all over....Kaal Tossed his head quickly and growled a little to his self as he thought "Stop this Kaal they are your friends. Not an enemy Staring you down, Calm down, And speak to them." The Kaal Opened his mouth to speak " Im sorry For the way I acted last night. I was Extreamly pissed off without any reason to be. If you will accept me as a friend I would be overjoyed....I havent had Company since the swamplands where I met Aiu and then that was only for three days, and then before that it was sevrale years since I had seen a wolf... My pure animal instincs have been taking ove rhte way I act, I need the Company if Im going to be able to recooperate from this. IF you do not accept me I would as that you only not kill me and Ill live out the rest of my days in the cave further up the pass from last night."

[ulrica]

<sup>Aiu's behavior was strange, but Ula paid her no mind and simply shrugged her shoulders. Her body ached and her eyes were sore, her left the worse of the two. In that condition the meal lacked its usual succulence, merely settling into the pit of her stomach with a sickening weight. Oh gods... She groaned silently, clenching her jaws together against the bile that threatened to rise in that dark throat. However, it quickly passed leaving nausea as all that remained. Staggering over to where the wall met the ground she flopped down in a painful heap after having eaten only a few bites of the meat. Oh well.... I'll eat it tomorrow, or someone else can have it..." She decided, feeling a bit feverish as her right eye began to slowly slide closed.


Kaal you idiot!!! Aiu shrieked silently, narrowing her jade eyes at the large wolf when he ignored her. "Yes, yes! We all forgive you now get a move on you lazy pup!! You smell worse than a dog kennel!!" The she-wolf said sharply, dancing and twirling about in front of the cave entrance. "Hurry up, you take forever!!" Her jade eyes glanced to Ula before her gaze shifted to Al. "Why don't you take care of Ula? She looks like she could use a little help don'chya think?" And with that, the adolescent she-wolf scurried off hopefully with Kaal in tow.


Aiu's retreating figure was hazy to the midnight furred she-wolf, her breaths coming in short pants simply from the energy it took to walk the two yards and collapse against the wall. Her eye open just enough that she could see the general shapes of objects and wolves around her. I'm pathetic... She thought sourly while a sudden chill wracked through her body. And why is it so cold in here?! Little did she know, her temperature was peaking to well above normal. Blood loss and exhaustion had finally taken their toll on the battle scarred she-wolf.</sup>

[Xenoxice]

Alastolan watched as Aiu tried to hurry Kaal out of the cave and laughed silently to himself. You really want us to be alone a lot don't you? He thought as she began to once again try to coerce him to follow her outside. He noted how Aiu shot a glance over toward him and spoke. "Why don't you take care of Ula? She looks like she could use a little help don'chya think?" Looking over at Ula, he finally saw just how weak of a state she was in and even the smallest distance traveled taxed her strength. "Yea..." Concern layered his voice and filled his eyes as his gaze never turned back to Aiu even as he responded. Quickly cleaning the blood form his mouth and fur he stood up and walked over to Ula and layed beside her covering her once again with his left wing. After a few moments something of suspicion crossed his face. "You feel a bit warmer than before..." He layed the underside of his jaw on Ula's forehead for a moment before lifting back up and letting out a sigh. "You have a fever.... You need to take it easy and just lay here for a while to recover." A large amount of care could be heard in his voice now as well as a bit of passion underneath it. "The last thing you need right now is to push yourself and have an infection set in on your wounds. Just relax and get comfortable." He shifted his eyes over to Aiu and gave her a look that could clearly be understood by her. I got it from here if you can get him out of here... just for a while....

[kcraner]

Kaal looked up from his own gaot that he hadent quite finished as Aiu was urging him out of the cave. he was going to protest when the other male said went to help the female, he didn't really care what he said just so long as the dark female wolf would be okay and someday find it deep inside her to forgive him then he snorted and thought to himself "I wouldn't forgive me..."
Kaal Sighed at the left over meat and headed out of the cave with Aiu. "So where are we going young one?" Kaal Said his age diffrence showed everytime he spoke to the pre adult female, and he made sure she knew it. Kaal also knew that he would be Joining with the wolves of old in the sky someday way before the young female did. He sighed. He was in the Prime of his age right now and the decline had already began. He could feel it every day slipping away. He looked up to see Aiu's orverly hyper face as she pranced about he couldent help him self as he said "Your waaaaay to hyper...."