Sun beats down ... {{anyones}}

[friday]

It had been two weeks since Niyah had met the Brute, Zentha, all though not realy met, bumped into would be a better word, they were in a snow storm, after all. She couldn't help but think of him, he kept popping up in her mind when ever she wasn't consentrating of anything in particular, and even when she was, she could see a picture of him clear as day. Although the sun was beating down hard, a shiver ran down her back as she thought of his cold, cold eyes. Thinking of the weather, it was realy hot to say it was only early spring.

It was warmer than it usualy was, even in the summer. There was the odd storm cloud, but they were blown off towards the Skyla lands. As she walked, she thought back to all of the wolves she had met in the past. Chikako, that Brute i can't remember the name of, and Zentha. Was that all? Three? To her it seemed like so many more, yet it was only three. Surely their were more wolves on Kongrai, she hadn't seen any, but she knew their were packs around these areas. Zyla, Skyla, Liazo, and what was it, Exousia? They had to have pack members! She realy needed to learn more of her neighbouring wolves. Niyah thought back to Zentha. What was the story of the great wolf again? She though, but she just couldn't remember it. Damn ...

The Fae squinted into the distance, was that a tree she could see? Finally... some shade! All she needed now was a water hole of some sort, Niyah was so thristy! And a meal would go down nicely as well. A nice large Buffalow, with lots of meat on it ... yeah ... she could do with one of those at the minute. No ... al this think of food was making her hungry. And she didn't need that, their was no way she was going to find food around here.

Niyah padded on towards the tree, lowering her head to keep the sun out of her eyes. As she neared it, she took a look around, the warmth was trying to repare the damage that the harsh winter had done, but failing, the greenery around here was very poor. Any bids that tried to get higher than her paw were dried up with the lack of water in this area, it was a wonder how this tree had managed to grow.
The Fae sat down, enjoying the colder shade. She would stay here for a bit, rest, build up her strength, and then she would make her way back to the more gentle lands.

[`Senna]

C h i k a k o;;

Chikako ran with all of her might, her close friend and adopted pup close behind her. Her mind only consisted of frantic and paniced thoughts. How was she going to get away alive? How was her parents holding up? Am I running fast enough? Those were the pessimistic thoughts running through her mind. Hunters were close behind on small machines, along with some mutts, barking and yowling loudly at the new wolf scents. 'Run faster!' Her pack member barked, her nervous tone etched into her head. But no matter how fast she could run, the humans were too fast. Suddenly, a loud bang rang through the air. She stopped, skidding along the ground to whip around to see what it was. Once her liquid amber eyes spotted what happened, they widened with fear. Her friend was laying lifeless on the ground, beneath her the crisp white snow slowly turned to a red tone. The wolf's eyes were open, but unfortuantly they were extinguished. Something was heard behind her, and when she whirled around to see who it was, a tall figure pointed something at her face..

Chikako jerked up to the sound of a gunshot from her nightmare, panting frantically. She flicked her ears and looked all around her on full alert, but in vain. There was no one there. Just the dry, cracked earth beneath her. The fae released a sigh, and shoke her head. Lately, she's been having those frequent, re-occuring dreams of her unsettling past. Why she was having them, she didn't know. Still alittle shaken from it, she stretched out her front legs and forced her tired body up. She didn't get too much sleep, obviously. Mostly because of the nightmare, and the blazing heat. For the first time in a long time, she scoffed at herself from her artic genes. Her thick coat proved to be a nuissence in this kind of weather, which was why she should have stayed in the rocky outback. But no, instead she went by her curious nature and thought it would be a great idea to explore this land. "Brillant plan," she scowled to herself in a dehydrated voice. Only now did she realise how parched she was. And to find water in such an area would be fun.

Chikako shoke her pelt to rid the dust from her fur, and headed off the.. who knows where. Scanning the area, she noticed that there was practically nothing here. No prey in sight, no water source around.. Nothing. Now she was really starting to regret coming here in the first place. What was worse, she couldn't remember the way out of these forsaken lands. Instead, she just picked a direction to follow, hoping that would lead her somewhere alittle more resourceful than this place. As she trotted on, she could feel the suns luminous rays beat down upon her thick fur, and the seering heat didn't seem to get any cooler. Her expression wilted with dread, she decided to take a break after walking for what seemed like days.. when it was really only an hour. Her pink touge rolled out to the side of her mouth, panting heavily. All this time passed, and she didn't encounter anyone. Not even a single hare. They were smart to avoid this place..Unlike some wolf..

Chikako stared out over the vast landscape, only to let her eyes settle upon a tall tree in the distance. Was she just hallicinating, or was it real? There was only one way to find out. She walked off again, heading towards the figure. As she was getting closer, the tree didn't fade, so it wasn't fake. Yet, she saw something underneath it. A wolf, maybe? Interested, she quickened her pace slightly, eager to take another break. Eventually, she got close enough to the tree, that she remembered seeing this wolf somewhere before.. "Niyah..?" She was a loner she met back in the rocky outback, where they where facing off some perverted brute. She shuddered just thinking about him. Pushing that thought out of her head, she quickly made her way under the tree, the cool shade feeling great. She looked over at the fae with a light smile on her visage. "What are you doing in a place like this?"

[friday]

The Fae squinted through the heat, examining her surrounding. Which way was out? Thier was absolutely no way of telling. Atleast the tree blocks out some of the sun rays ... She thought to herself grumpily. Which way was she going to go? It was clear that she was going to have to pick a direction, and hope for the best, but which direction to pick? She hated things like this, knowing that one way was the way out, and others would no doubt be the death of her. She couldn't stay in the sun for too long. The heat was just too much, she would die of dehidration if not careful.

Niyah made the most of the shade. She rested her head against the cool ground, and closed her eyes, the sound of nothingness relaxing to her ears. But the atmousphere was ruined. Through the sound of nothingness, another sound emerged. A sort of ... padding. It gradualy got louder, and quicker. Niyah opened one eye slightly, just enough to see what ... or who ... was making the noise.
'Niyah ...?'
She opened both eye suddenly, to see a figure standing in the sun. It was another Fae, sort of ... small looking. Hang on ... I know this wolf. She thought to herself exitedly. Chikako! She said with a grin.
'What are you doing in a place like this?'
Niyah took a look around, before placing her gaze back on Chii. "Same thing as you by the looks of things. Wondering which way it out?" The Fae shuffled up slightly so Chikako could sit in the shade, and out of the sun. It wouldn't hurt to just sit and have a little chat, like normal Faes do.

[`Senna]

Chikako's smile broadened as they fae exclaimed her name, but it slowly disintagrated when she replied. "Same thing as you by the looks of things. Wondering which way is out?" By no means did she know the answer to that question. She really didn't know where she was in the first place, other than "barren lands". There was no signs telling how to get out of here. No rivers. No trees except one. No water.. or food.. Soon she began to feel the torment of her stomach. Not only was she thirsty, but now she was getting hungry. She sat back onto her haunches near Niyah, and gave her an apologetic look. "I'm not sure either.. I got myself lost here too." She began to wonder if she would ever find her way out of this cursed place. She wandered into these lands at night when it was pretty cold, thinking that it was a great place to stay. Well, she was proved wrong. She was beginning to think that the only way of getting away from these lands was by nightfall, when it alot more cooler.

Suddenly, Chii began to feel the hungry rumbles of her stomach. Worse, there was no way to quiet it down if she didn't find anything to eat. Which was impossible, it seemed. Maraculously, as if on cue, her nose flicked to a new scent. Her amber gaze shifted out over the deserted landscape, only to spot something moving. It's long ears flicked, and it was hopping about without a care in the world. A hare.. It was picking and scavenging for little shurbs and shots of grass that managed to grow, unaware that preditors were in the area. "Hey, Niyah.." She whispered, just enough that she could hear her. "There's a hare.. walking.. over there.." Her eyes were widened, staring down the jack-rabbit. She licked her chops, slightly eager to pounce on it and devour it whole. Still, there was another wolf with her, and she wouldn't just eat it all herself without sharing it with the other. "..Wanna get 'em?"

[friday]

Watching the Fae pant in the sun was slightly relaxing. At least now she knew that she wasn't the only one who was struggling to keep in this terribly heat. It was warmth like she had never felt it before, and it was sure to kill them both if some sort of mirachle didn't pop ip, if they didn't get out of here quick. But would it be wise to venture out in this heat? Probably not, they would end up becoming a meal for the vultures, where was the pride in that?


'I'm not sure either.. I got myself lost here too.'
This wasn't looking good, not at all. Neither of them knew the way out, would they die here? Panick started to rise in Niyahs heart, she would never get to complete all the ambitions in her life. Never get to meet all the wolves of Kongrai, never get to have pups, never get to find a mate. But was the last one quite true? She had found herself a Brute, or rather stumbled upon, who had seemed to like her. They had got on ... in a strange sort of way. Sure, he scared her at first, but then after a while she got used to him. Their was one thing that was troubling her though, other than the fact that she may well have met her death sentence, this Brute called himself Zentha, but was he being truthful, was he the real Zentha, or was he just messing with her? Niyah thought back to what Chikako had said, remembering that she had not yet answered. Well ... that makes two of us. She said with a eak grin.

But the Fae was not paying attention to her answer, she was looking at something with a slightly revanous look on her face. Niyah turned her head as Chii spoke.
Hey, Niyah.. There's a hare.. walking.. over there.. wanna get 'em? She turned her had to where the Fae gestured too. There was a Hare! a Big fat juicy one, that didn't seem to have notised them. Bingo! Food! But their were two wolves to one Hare, it wasn't much, but it would keep them going at least. Yeah... Lets. She said, before standing up slowly.

[erica ``zentha]

This was quite a different change for the brute. For the past week he had been in nothing but harsh cold conditions. He had gotten used to the wind clawing at him, and raging through his ears. Now only an uncomfortable silent followed him. Thankfully it was easier to walk, without the unwanted snow trying to hold back his legs. It was something it had taken a few minutes to get used too, but after awhile he got the hang of walking on solid ground again. It was hardly comfortable though. The ground was rough and dry, but it wasn't his main focus now. After all he had gotten so good at trying to forget about that fae. He had managed two weeks so far, but he was continuing to struggle slightly.

It had been awhile but he could still close his eyes and picture the fae almost completely. Every time he tried though, the memory of snow lashing about would distract him and he'd forget small things. The only thing that really mattered to him however, where those eyes. Though cold icy eyes that had been filled with something other then fear for a few seconds. Giving him a wave of unexpected emotions which he had done his best to destroy soon after. Feelings like that just couldn't be risked anymore. Something had to be done about it so he'd forget completely about the femme. Was that really what he wanted, though?

What he wanted wasn't his first concern. What he had wanted /before/ that little accidental bump-in was what he needed to pay attention to. That was what was best for him, and he knew that. Whatever else didn't matter anymore. No matter how much it hurt him-he winced at the thought of actually being emotionally hurt-he would have to get over the fae. The piercing heat that torched his throat as he took in a breath woke him from his conflicts. His head raised, and he narrowed his eyes away from the suns rays. It was strange weather for such a time of year...He had pictured rain, lots of ran. Not scorching hot desert terrain. This was just unbelievable.

However is was distracting him from Niyah. Which was a good thing, right? He shook his head, confused and frustrated again before he picked up his pace. Soon he was running, running on the dry earth to no where in particular. Maybe for the rush of it? Maybe because he didn't ever think that much when he ran? The true reason Zentha wasn't even sure. He just needed an excuse to move. To many unpleasant thoughts suffocated him if he remained still for a certain amount of time.

He soon slowed to a walk. Dead ahead were two figures, turning into the exact sizes of wolves the closer he got. With the sun beating down in his face it was difficult to tell that much about the wolves, just thats what they were. And they seemed to be moving after something. He finally stopped, waiting with curiosity. He sat back on his hunches and just watched; curious to know what these two wolves were doing out here in such conditions like this.

[`Senna]

"Yeah... Lets."

Chii grinned at the fae, eager to have that hare brought down. It bounced about the dry terain, nibbling on dried up grasses and whatever else he managed to get his paws on. She noticed Niyah stand up, and did the same. It may prove to be a difficult catch in weather like this, but right now, she would do anything to have something to eat. Maybe after she could find some water.. if she was lucky enough. After some thought, she began to stalk forward, as silent as she possibly could. It was alittle harder than she thought though. Her heavy panting to the heat wasn't exactly quiet. What if she messed it up? She would have no food! Then she realized, Niyah wouldn't have anything to eat either if she made any mistakes. Chikako eventually shoke it off, there was no way they would have a sucessful hunt if she thought like that.

Once her mind was cleared, she watched the hare intently, trying to anticipate what it's next move would be. It would most likely go towards a spot with grass on it. She flickered her liquid blue eyes at Niyah. "I'll try and sneak up on it from behind and chase it towards you." It probably wouldn't see her if she stayed under the shade of the tree, so it could be a perfect ambush if all went well. With that, she waited for the right moment for the hare to go into her targetted position, and then circled around it. Yet, once she got straight behind him, a scent hit her nostrils. Another wolf..? No, she couldn't get distracted right now. If she did, with her luck, her lunch would notice her and run away. Attempting to ignore the intruding scent, she looked at Niyah and gave her a little nod, then dashed for the rabbit with snapping jaws. Almost instantly, the chubby rabbit stood upon it's hind legs with it's ears perked. Chikako started to bark visiously, hoping for it to run into the trap. Terrified, the rabbit did what she expected. It scampered off, heading straight for the fae lying in ambush. Now all she had to do was keep it headed in her way without getting tired. It wouldn't have been a problem if the weather was alittle cooler, but running in a desert-like land wasn't exactly easy. Now, she just hoped that everything would go well.

[Muse left again]

[friday]

{*} Sorry it took so long to reply {*}

Her ears pricked up as a new scent hit her nose, she couldn't quite put a paw on it, but it smelt somewhat familiar. Niyah took a look around, but all she could see was hard roasted ground, and a large rock thing on the ground a little while away. She examined the rock, it didn't look very stone like, but what else could it be out here? She looked around, but no other wolves were to be seen, all that were here, was her and chii.
"I'll try and sneak up on it from behind and chase it towards you."
She nodded at her new accomplice, and focused her attention on lying low to the ground, keeping out of sight from the hare. Chikako was running at it, making as much noise as possible, scaring the large rabbit. Their future meal bolted, running straight towards her. Niyah smirked to herself, all was going as planned, soon enough they would be eating. She waited for the Rabbit to get to the correct spot, anytime now. Come on ... she mermered to herself. Come on ... Yes, acouple more leaps and it would be exactly where she wanted it to be. But the Rabbit turned at the last minute, and Niyah, who hadn't expected it, jumped at the spot. The Hare let out a squeek of terror, and quicked its pace slightly. Niyah ran after it, closing in. No matter how hard they tried, hares couldn't outrun a wolf, they could run for longer, but not faster. Niyah closed it, and claped her jaws around the creature, snapping it neck.

She turned, the Hare still in her jaws, and trotted towards Chii. The Fae dropped the limp Rabbit at the wolfs feet, and sat, waiting for her to tuck in first.

[erica ``zentha]

His eyes remained glued to the two moving figures before he noticed the dot. One seemed to try and race the dot towards the other. The other started after it as well before it got the dot. He titled his head to the side, watching them still. He wasn't quite sure what he was going to do. If he went out to go see the wolves, there was a chance that he'd have to kill them afterwords, and that would just take so much work. Even if they didn't put up much of a fight, trying to attack in hot conditions like this was just a death sentence. It would wear up way to much of his energy. Energy he needed to save.

But sitting here wasn't a very amusing option either. Eventually he'd either die of dehydration or the wolves would finally notice him. Leaving would be the wisest option, though Zentha couldn't find the will to move away. He wanted to no why two wolves would be out here in weather like this. Did they wish to die? Even without thinking to much about it he stood and shook the dirt off of his pelt. In a few more second he was trotting in the direction of the other animals.

But it was at that moment he found himself repeating his older actions. He had been stupid enough to make contact with that fae, a few weeks earlier. Would this turn out the same? He already had enough problems trying not to think about her, he didn't need others clouding his mind also. He doubted another would ever make him feel as he had before. Even his old mate hadn't given him those feelings. Sure, he had cared and liked her...Niyah...Well she had been different. Everything about her had been something different. So if that action had led to a mistake, why couldn't he halt his walking now? It was an odd situation when his head fought for control. Like two sides of his brain. Usually he had always gone for the more difficult, dangerous, and deadly option, the one that held the most thrill for him. And lately, a new side seemed to have sprung up. One that took hold of his body and forced him to do the things he wasn't sure he actually wanted.

[`Senna]

Chii forced her tired legs to keep running, urging them to keep her going untill she made it to Niyah lying in wait. Just keep moving.. Don't stop. That was easier said than done. She was exhausted, the heat was too unbearable to be running in, but she couldn't give in just yet. She had to eat. Niyah had to eat. So, giving up wasn't an option. In fact, it was probably a death sentence.. either way. Still, if they didn't get something to eat soon, well, they wouldn't be in a great situation. Chii pumped her slender legs to move faster, keeping the rabbit on track. They were so close now! Only a few meters away, and that petrified hare would be lunch. Suddenly, the worst thing happened. Just as the hare met the target, it made a split-second turn, veering away from Niyah.

Her heart sank. There was no way she could keep running after it, she was too tired to chase it some more. She would just be pushing her luck. Looking as if all hope was gone, Niyah leaped into action and went in pursuit of the jack-rabbit. She had almost forgotton about her! Chikako slumped to the dirt, panting heavily, watching the fae. The little creature was no match for the swift wolf. The femme quickly closed in on it's prey, and snapped her jaws onto the victim, breaking it's neck almost instantly. Her bright sapphire orbs watched as she came back with the lifeless capture, hanging loosely in her jaws. She dropped the rabbit at her feet and sat back to await for her well deserved share. The wolfess dipped her muzzle as a sign of gratitude, and ate her share of the body, the blood coming out of the meat soothed her dry throat. She didn't take too much, and offered the rest to Niyah. She sat back and ran her touge over her chest, cleaning up her blood-stanined fur. It was enough food to last her at least untill darkness shrouded the land.

Just when she was about to thank her for the catch, her snout reminded her of a wolf nearby. It was the same scent that she smelled when she was chasing after the hare, but where was it coming from? Her curious eyes scanned the area, and finally settled upon something, or someone, approaching in the distance. Her eyes squinted, as if attempting to see whatever it was clearer. As it neared, it scent proved to be that of a wolf. Who it was, she didn't know. "Looks like someone else may have gotton lost here too."

[friday]

The blood from the now dead Hare dripped down her muzzle as she ate. It wasn't much, especially as their were two wolves eating it, but it would keep them going for at least a little while. Once she had finished her share, Niyah sat back on her haunches and waited for Chii to finish. Her auds wandered out into the open, where had that scent come from? She examined their surroundings, but again, all she could see was an oddly shaped rock, nothing more, nothing less.

Atleast now the sun was beginning to set, it would be dark soon, and that would be the wise time to start trying to find the way out. But was it a good idea with an unknown wolf wandering around? She didn't know whether this wolf was strong or weak, and she hadn't seen them, but that was when wolves were most dangerous wasn't it? When you can't see them, and don't know anything about them?

Chii had finished now, and Niyah had eaten all she could.
"Looks like someone else may have gotton lost here too."
The Fae looked to where the other wolf was motioning to. Where their had been a rock, was now a wolf figure padding carelessly towards them. Here came the scent again. Niyah squinted towards the figure. Was it just her, or did that wolf look oddly, and slightly worryingly familiar?

[erica ``zentha]

The sun was becoming less and less of a problem the closer he came to the two other figures. Soon it would be gone fully, and darkness would take its turn on the desert-like land. Them seemed to both crowd over the dot-he was sure was a small, dead animal-he had seen earlier. They must have been quite lucky to find food out here, unfortunately not lucky enough to find /him/ out here. Zentha was far from being in the best mood, and even when he was in a good mood, he was a danger to anyone nearby. If they were smart enough they would be running already; he was sure by now that they would notice his scent in the air. Even if they didn't know who he was, which they most likely didn't, it wasn't the best idea to met an unknown wolf in a place like this. Who knows what other evil and ruthless wolves wandered these lands? They were nothing compared to him, however.

Finally the two wolves seem to be looking in his direction, after they lifted their heads from their catch. Zentha just continued moving forward. A soft murmur made his ears twitch. One had said something, he was too far away to hear exactly what though. He stopped a good distance away though. But he was close enough that if he spoke out, they would hear. He smiled and just stood there, watching them for another few moments. One of the wolves seemed oddly familiar but she was too far away for him to notice too much about her.

"Lost?"

His voice was filled with curiosity, both fake and true. And a bit of humor was faint in the one word also. His head raised, ignoring the bit of sun that got in his eyes as he did so-he would be glad when that finally decided to set- and his tail stood straight. He stood proud, the way he did whenever he was confronted a wolf. It was odd that it seemed to be happening alot lately. He had gone a whole year with almost no contact with anyone, and in the last few weeks he had been seeing more wolves then scary. Either to question them, about where the packs all stood, or just to try and frighten them. In the end only one had ever escaped him and remained undamaged. Though the fae hardly escaped, more like Zentha had escaped the idea of harming her, he couldn't spread around that he had let someone go without even trying to threaten them on their life.

[friday]

Niyah squinted into the ever growing darkness, watching the figure grow nearer and nearer to them. The sun was only just visable as it made its way down and set aside for the moon, making the scene dark. It was amazing how quickly the sight changed, one minute it was bright, next, getting on to almost darkness. Especially seeing as it was early spring, usualy the days lasted longer than this.
She watched as the shadow that was a wolf made its way towards them, getting closer with every second. Niyah raised an eyebrow as the familiar wolf came into view. She scowled as the voice she heard put a face to her wonderings.
"lost?"
Her scowl grey more visable as her suspicions were confirmed. Why did she keep bumping into this Brute?
"No ... we are merely passing through, making our way north." She said emotionlessly. What ever she had felt for this wolf at their meeting before was gone, for now anyway. He had stomped off, and she wouldn't forget that. Of course, these word would be news to Chii, but Niyah was just going to have to hope that the Fae next to her caught on, and went along with the story.

Zentha hadn't seemed to realise who she was yet, but Niyah was sure that now she had spoken, he would know know who she was. Perhaps she should've kept quiet, and let Chii do the speaking, she had handled it well enough when they had encounted Dalmiro, or what ever his name was. Learn to keep your big mouth shut, damn it. She thought, slightly pissed off with herself.

[`Senna]

"Lost?"

The dark, wolf figure stopped in its tracks a fair distance away, yet she could not see his appearence clearly. He didn't sound familiar, so she's never met this loner before. The only thing she could tell from his masculine voice, was that he was a brute. She looked over to Niyah to see what she thought of him, but her facial features showed nothing but anger. She tilted her head to the side slightly in confusion. Does she know this male already? Obviously, Chii.. She wouldn't have such a deadly look if she didn't. "No ... we are merely passing through, making our way north." Chii looked at her. She masked her anger well to show only upon her face, and as she spoke, it was drained of any emotion, not even a hint of her true emotion.

Chii wanted to say something, but she was unsure. There had to be a pretty good reason for Niyah to look so pissed at this brute. Was he dangerous..? Or was she just precautious from there last encounter with a male? Your just being paranoid.. She consoled to herself, and she hoped that was it. "..Should we leave?" She finally whispered, her voice barely audible for even her ears to hear. She wasn't sure if the fae was hinting to leave or not, so she thought she should just ask.

[Rushed.]

[friday]

Niyah looked to Chii, but she didn't seem to know what to do. '..should we leave?' The Fae looked at Zentha for a minute. I think so, yes. She muttered back. It probably was safe to venture out from the shade, now that the sun was almost completely gone. But was it safe to move out in the dark with this Brute around? She didn't know how fast Chii could run, and from previous encounters, Niyah knew that Zentha could run well, and fast. They could try running, but no dount about it, he would soon catch up.

She stood up, and looked over at Chii, gesturing that they should go. Zentha had been the one thing on her mind since their meeting, but now she had seen him again, something told her not to hang around. To get as far away from him as possible.

{*} museless. Anyone seen wolf's rain? {*}