A Place Called Home

[Mama Z]

Snow covered the land in an endless form of winter. Trees of once lush green were now a bright, luminescent white. Branches were heavy with snow and bowed and bent till they often broke under the pressure. White rabbits were often the only thing that roamed the forest, most deer and other large game took to the heavily wooded area, sticking where food might be more scarce. Bears were now tucked away gently in their dens, saving their fat and energy for when food became more plentiful. Dark clouds now stretched across the otherwise blue Sky, promising a greater snow fall then the previous night. But slowly twisting like a snake toward the sky, pillars of smoke rose. These smoke trails marked the beginning of the human settlement just outside the wolves territory.

The village was small. Many of the huts were dried wood with thatched roofs. It wasn't much, but they were still places to call home. People were scattered, some conversing joyfully, others grunting and complaining. Children ran about trying to find a better way to keep warm in the snow, and of course to a child that meant playing in it. But one thing all the people had in common was that each was bundled up in furs and layers to keep warm. This proved that all were human. All had some form of feeling and need to keep warm. Around the village, some acres of bare land stood, these marking the tree groves and other farm lands the villagers used for food. This particular village was known for its luscious Cherry's and when spring came around, the smell would fill the air and spread far and wide. A river ran around the edges of it, if one were to follow about a mile, it would fall into a small lake which held many varieties of trout. Now though, it barely ran, covered in a thick layer of ice.

He stood just outside of the village. Watching the activity of winter life. The young man was no more then 22 years of age, and indeed looked it. He was tall, standing just above 6 foot. Frame was small and was that of a typical hunters, light and quiet. And a hunter was what he was. He jerked his head slightly, which pushed the longer yellow strands of hair out of his line of sight. Ocean blue eyes took one last look behind him, as if hearing something, then back toward his home. Or what was once his home.

Zach let out a breath of air which came as a small gust of fog in front of his breath. Yes, it was once his home. Now he no longer lived here, instead within the woods with his love and the wolves of Shinkou. He shivered gently beneath the large green cloak that he was under. This particular forest green material was specially made from his mother of wool from the other village that herded sheep. It was torn slightly in one spot and faded in another. He would have to have her fix that while he was visiting her. He shifted the quiver of arrows that rested on his back and gripped the wooden bow tighter. He stepped forward and then stopped, a distinct snapping of a twig echoed in the woods behind him. The human held his breath, waiting to hear if anything else and where it was at exactly.

[Relairah]

Bright sapphire blue eyes watched from the shadows curiously at Zach. Small, fair hands clutched a blue cloak that wrapped around her small, yet slender figure. Long, black, turquoise streaked hair was rippled about by the cold, winter's wind along with the tattered ends of her white dress. Though unseen, small wings resembling those of an angel protruded from her back, though were held in. Feathers were white except for the pale blue that faintly rimmed their edges, making her wings appear to glow in that soft blue tint. The other hand that was hidden under her cloak clutched the pale-blue diamond shaped crystal that rested on her chest. She trusted this necklace to protect her as she stepped forward, having been following this man for a little while.

She didn't know he knew of her presence until she stepped on the twig. She looked down, biting her pink lips, and then back up. The man had stopped - he knew she was there. She was trying to decide how to react. Compared to her, he seemed a giant, for he was indeed considerably taller compared to her pitiful three feet two inches. She was only seven, and had followed him back from the interior of the lands of Shinkou Ookami. She usually would have run away, but instead she ran forward toward him. She looked up through shaking eyes, her hand letting go of her necklace to come out of the cloak and take hold of his pants. "Please don't hurt me," she murmured in a soft, squeaky voice. "Please, save me... don't let those monsters get me."

The poor girl was terrified. She had been following Zach because he was the only one who seemed remotely related to her in some way, and the site of him was different than all the wolves she had been hiding from. She hoped silently that she hadn't made a mistake, that he wouldn't turn out like other humans in her past. Most people saw her strange colored eyes and her wings and shunned her, turning her aside. They muttered things like, 'Stupid half-breed... get out of here... no one wants you.' She could only hope this man was different.

[Mama Z]

He apparently didn't have to wait long. He turned as he heard the small voice, to his surprise he watched as the little girl ran forward, begging for help. The shock of turquise stood out greatly in her dark hair and it made him believe she was anything but human. It didn't startle him at all, after all, the one he was currently in love with was a full demon. He listened with concern as she stated her plea. Monsters? He glanced around the woods, half expecting to see a terrible monster of sorts bound from the trees with massive claws out and poised to kill.

Nothing.

He blinked then knelt down, getting down to her level. She couldn't be much older then his sister Lily. 'What monsters?' He asked gently, not wanting to scare her more. Children had a way of imagining things, things that would scare them, he was used to it especially since his own sister was a mere 8 years of age.

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[Relairah]

Pale hand wiped across her eyes, and she looked at the man who had knelt down, questioning her meanings. She turned slightly, pointing into the brush. "Back there..." she murmured softly, "they're big, and fluffy, and... and... they're going to eat me." She whispered the last few words, as if afraid that if she spoke too loud, something was going to suddenly leap out from the shadowy trees and thick bushes. Her heart raced in her little chest, eyes shaking faintly.

She was quite unsure of what she should do, her young mind at a loss of words. She planned to continue to tag along with this man - wherever he was going, yet she was far too shy to ask to do so. She watched him expectantly, wondering what he'd say in response. Indeed, what were monsters to her, perhaps weren't as much so to him - especially with the battle he had fought so recently. Yet perhaps he would recognize of what exactly she spoke - for there are many different creatures in the lands they treaded.

[Mama Z]

He took another glance around the woods, once again trying to spot the monster that she spoke of. Big and fluffy? He looked back down at her, having a new idea of what she was talking about. It was either the wolves or bears or maybe a new form a fuzzy creature he had never seen before. Surely it couldnt be a squirrel or a rabbit, girls liked those sort of things. After what he had just seen with Ghost and his little mutants, a bear wouldnt seem so bad, or a monster from her imagination.

He put on a small smile and glanced towards the village. 'Whats your name?' He asked, wanting to get some basic information so he wouldnt have to call her "Little girl."

[Relairah]

She looked at him in confusion for a moment, her little fingers slipping inside her cloak once again to grasp her necklace. He was asking no further questions about the 'monsters' that plagued her mind. Perhaps of what exactly he may or may not ever know. Yet, she turned her thoughts toward the question he had asked her and she slowly answered, "Melindonia..." Most people she had told her name to hadn't been able to pronounce it, thus had called her shorter names of her name, such as 'Lia'. It only made sense, yet she was always unsure of why no one could pronounce her name. "Do you have one?" she asked, wanting to ask him questions and say things, but unsure how to do it without his own name.

She swayed gently back and forth, not all that noticeably, but because she hadn't slept in a while from fear of the 'monsters' she hoped she had left behind, and she was quite tired. She didn't say so, and tried not to show it, as she didn't want to just start sleeping at this point. She trusted this man, as she was young and trusted easily, yet her mother long before had taught her it was rude to simply fade out in front of someone, unless for good reason.

[Mama Z]

Miebeline? He mouthed the word after she had did so, making sure he was able to pronounce it. Indeed it was a difficult one and later he was sure someone would find a way to shorten it to her liking. 'Im Zach.' He stated placing the small smile back on his face. He shivered gently, the wind seeming to pick up just ever so slightly. 'Come on, lets get to somewhere warmer then out here, alright?' He stood up, looking down at her and holding out his hand. Having no clue of how tired she was.

He was sure his mother and father would have room for one more, that is, if Lilly wasn't willing to share her bed for a few nights.

[Aveilthé]

OOC: Oh man. I just have to say. When I read 'Miebeline', for some reason I was laughing uncontrollably.

[Mama Z]

(Me too..I kept thinkin Maybalene...)

[Aveilthé]

OOC: LMAO I'm *really* sorry, I don't mean any offense at all. That's what it reminded me of. Pretty name though!

[Relairah]

OoC: Oh crap xD Wrong name hehehehe ^^; I was thinking a different character... -_-;; Woops... I swear, I'm in too many rp sites with too many characters that start with 'm' e.e;;

Edit: Its fixed XD

[Relairah]

A small smile flickered onto her pale lips, "Zach." she stated it simply, as if stamping it on her mind. "Does..." but she stopped as he spoke of going to some place warmer. That had been what she had been about to ask anyway. She nodded slowly, watching as he stood and offered her his hand. She took it, her small hand being engulfed by Zach's. She followed him, curious as to where exactly they were going. She knew they were going toward the village, everyone in this area knew of it and its whereabouts. Still, she hadn't been here before, and felt safe from strangers as long as she had company.

[Mama Z]

Her hand was tiny and cold, and as a gesture of reassurance, he smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. Onward he lead them, marching through what seemed an open field. It was nothing but a snow covered mass, but in early spring the fields would be alive with various forms of vegitation. Lettuce, tomatos, potatos, anything one could think of for a village was grown here and in the orchards. A faint smile fell over his lips. It wasn't too long ago when he was working in these fields himself, plowing and picking weeds. He helped provide with the village along with his father and friends, he was once part of the backbone that helped sustain the small town and its needs. He could see the bright red and green colors of the fields. The pleasent smell of apple blossom wafting down from the higher fields.

Now it was the smell of smoke he smelt. It wasn't as pleasent as the fresh apples, but it still gave off the feeling of home. He looked down at little Melidonia. 'Have you ever had Fish Stew?' He questioned trying to make conversation as they moved towards the village, each of the buildings getting slightly bigger as they drew near. 'My mother always makes it when I come to visit.' He said with a wider grin, his mouth watering from that bit of knowledge.

[thedarkwolfofdeath]

The Dark Wolf of Death stalked the area, her all-black bodice hugging the ground. She moved swiftly in between many types of trees, searching for some food to fill her. Her snout occasionally lifted skyward to sniff the air, but she found, to her disdain, no living creatures near by. She walked farther into the land that was so unfamiliar to her, and once more lifted her snout skywards. This time, though, she smelt something. A bitter taste filled her mouth as she recognized the horrid scent flowing through her nostrils. Her fur stood on end as the identification of this scent flashed across her mind: The Gods. That's how she knew them, the two-leggeds: Gods that could do many things, including inflicting hurt, or causing comfort. But she had known them mainly as monsters who beat her and forced her to fight her kin.
She sprang through the land, following the scent, and lifted her head heavenward, opening her jaws to emit a howl, a howl of a foud prey, of a predator in pursuit. A song that brimmed one of triumph over the kill...

She slowed when she reached the source of the scent. She crawled through some bushes, keeping to the shadows, and allowed herself a few peeks at through her cover until she spotted the humans. She crept in front of them, her fur once more raising on end, and she snarled leaping out of the bushes to land in front of them, her pure-whit teeth glistening as she bared her fangs. She was in an attacking position, though she wouldn't attack unless the humans made a move first. She had two reasons for doing so: One, she had learned from experience never to make the first move, and Two, she didn't know what kind of harm these humans might mean, or if they meant any at all... She was here to learn about them. If they proved threatening, she would attack, but otherwise... Well, she'd just see what happened.

[Relairah]

Curious blue eyes turned to look up at the face of the man she was growing to trust. She shook her head slowly, murmuring a soft, "No..." She listened as he spoke of his mother, and how she made it each time he visited. The hand that held the cloak about her shoulders clenched slightly, for her human mother had been the very one to give her that cloak that she treasured immensely. "Is it good?" she questioned, looking up at him once more. She continued to walk, the different smells of things in the small village reaching her nose, and a rather excited look began to come to her young face. She hadn't been to a village in ages... or so it felt. She hadn't been accepted like this in so long, and she began to wonder.

But then, suddenly she stopped, hearing the howl. "Monsters..." she whispered, the hand that was in Zach's tightening, she stepping closer to him. "I don't want to die." Her little heart began to race as the creature suddenly was in their path, she turning, burying her face in Zach's pants, peeking out slowly. She was gripped with terror at the sight of the wolf in attack mode, and it would now be clear she was trembling. She clung to Zach with her little fingers like a leech, praying constantly that it would be okay. "Zach..." she cried softly in his leg, begging his protection.