What we might gain, by what we might lose (Zuka)

[Electus]

He could see him clearly in his mind's eye. A grey wolf, lean yet imposing. His body was covered in red scars, a testament to the life of a warrior. His left ear was half torn, a dull red arc snaking its way down his left eye. His other eye was golden yellow, gleaming in the moonlight...

A shrill scream rent the air, startling Otame from his sleep. He yawned profusely before rubbing the dry tiredness from his eyes, blinking owlishly at the moonlight.

The screaming had gone on sporadically for a week, and at least once a day. Otame glanced in the direction of the Sallin border. What was causing the screaming anyways? His thoughts wandered to his dream...of that One-Eye...

Otame had been wandering near the Sallinian border when he saw him. Sleek as a sliding shadow he had come. One-Eye. He and Otame exchanged glances for a moment before One-Eye had nodded curtly before stepping towards the Sallinian border. Was he behind this? It seemed logical that One-Eye was wreaking chaos among the borders. The black-blue wolf shook his head. He couldn't have done it more quietly?

Sleep seemed far from Otame's grasp, so the lithe wolf trotted aimlessly around Arnlanian territory. He had explored most of the dark land, but there was still a little left to categorize and search. Perhaps he could finish that tonight...

[nightblood]

Zuka yawned as she arose from her sleep. Her dreams had been very peaceful as of late. Visions of a screaming NightShade danced in her mind as she stole away from the real world. Her screams were always pained, as if she was being tortured. It gave the young warrior something to look forward to. A tired smile crossed her face as she stretched the stiffness out of her muscles. She shook her fur, the final stage of waking herself up, and stepped out into the sun. She growled as the beams stung her crimson eyes, but they soon grew used to it and she pressed on.

Today, she would find the place where her mother had been attacked. Perhaps she would glimpse the banished Mortil as he raided Sallin for its lifeblood. She rolled her eyes as she thought about him and pushed him from her mind. This was about her mother. If the murderer had returned to the scene of the crime, perhaps it would give her ample opportunity to spy on her, but she would not confront them. She was smarter than that. She was much still too young to be any good in a fight. The alphas would have to hold off for a few more months before she and her litter-mates could be any help in the war against Sallin.

It wasn't long before the brown yearling came across her mother's favorite vantage point on the Sallin border. A high bolder on a hill surrounded by Arnlan's black trees was the best place to watch for their enemy's activity. It was a wonder that NightBlood had been attacked on it, but there were the bloodstains, still in plain view. Her attacker must have been hiding in the bushes before she had ever gotten to it. If this were the case, then they must have been waiting for a while, as she hadn't been patrolling until her second litter had been weened.

Another scent filled her nostrils as she tried to gather all the information she could. This scent was fresher, but just as unfamiliar. It wasn't Sallinian, that much she could tell. A rogue? They hadn't had any trouble from him yet if he was. Curious, she began to follow the strange wolf's trail, keeping her nose to the ground and noth really paying attention to where she was going.

[Electus]

Otame skirted the Sallin border sporadically, glancing every once in a while at the distant land of those wretched wolves. He had saved this border as the last one he would explore. And for good reason, too. He didn't really feel like having to fight any Sallin sentries. But now One-Eye had seen to that. There was a distinct lack of sentries now, and an eerie silence permeated the Arnlan-Sallin border.

But Otame shrugged off the feeling and continued wandering near the edge of Arnlanian territory. It didn't take him long to realise that he wasn't alone. He sniffed cautiously at the air before relaxing. It wasn't Sallinian...his follower smelled of Arnlan. He stopped for a moment, curious as to who it was. Aside from One-Eye, the only Arnlanian he had met was Pollux.

"And who might you be?"

[nightblood]

"And who might you be?"

Zuka twitched with irritation toward herself as she raised her head. Without realizing it, she had wandered within eyesight and earshot of the stranger. A low growl rumbled in her throat as she eyed the male.

"I might be an Arnlanian Sentry. Who are you?" she growled, baring a single fang.

Ever since she'd learned of her mother's death, Zuka had taken seriousness to a whole new level. She now bordered irate every time she spoke, as if all the happiness had gone from her life. The one thing that would make her smile was the thought of violence.

[Electus]

"I might be an Arnlanian Sentry. Who are you?"

"My my,"[/b] Otame said mildly, arcing a single eyebrow at the fangs bared at him. "I didn't realize there were such testy wolves in Arnlan. I do beg your pardon."

Otame shrugged then. "As for me, I might be an Arnlan subordinate. I haven't been here long, but the scent should be there."

He looked closely at the yearling. She was large for her age, and also overtly hostile. She didn't look to be the chronically happy type, either. Otame frowned. Such tumultuous eyes...they didn't suit such a young one.

"I am Otame. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. And may I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"

[nightblood]

"As for me, I might be an Arnlan subordinate. I haven't been here long, but the scent should be there."

The brown yearling stepped forward, sniffing the air a bit closer. He was right. He had picked up the scent of Arnlan. But why would he be skulking around the border like a loner?

"I hadn't caught that," she acknowledged as she sat down, flattening her ears against her head appologetically before glancing to the side, suddenly interested in the texture details of a dead leaf.

"I am Otame. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. And may I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"

"Zuka," she answered, bringing her back paw up to her neck to scratch an itch.

Once she was a little more comfortable, she brought her red eyes up to face this ebony stranger. Her crimson orbs, though still stone cold, held a trace of curiosity.

"Why are you still running the border if you've been accepted? Shouldn't you be in the territory socializing and getting the scent so we don't go mistaking you for an invader?"

[Electus]

"Zuka"

Otame smiled. "Very nice to meet you."

He stretched slowly before pondering her next query.

"Why are you still running the border if you've been accepted? Shouldn't you be in the territory socializing and getting the scent so we don't go mistaking you for an invader?"

"But my dear I have. Getting the scent, I mean. I have covered most of Arnlan already. This is the last border I have not yet committed to memory. So here I am. Besides..."

The black and aquamarine-striped wolf paused as another shrill scream rent the still air. He looked towards the Sallinian side meaningfully.

"I suppose you could say that a dream led me here. Quite odd, actually. I don't know why, but when I saw One-Eye...You probably know him better than I. Grey...scarred...for some reason, he left an impression on me."

[nightblood]

"But my dear I have. Getting the scent, I mean. I have covered most of Arnlan already. This is the last border I have not yet committed to memory."

"Guess I'm loosing my sense of smell... Joyous..." she thought to herself, rolling her eyes at her misfortune, "Oh well..."

"So here I am. Besides... I suppose you could say that a dream led me here. Quite odd, actually. I don't know why, but when I saw One-Eye...You probably know him better than I. Grey...scarred...for some reason, he left an impression on me."

"Tch!" she spat, giving off a high-pitched growl, "That's Mortilitas Umbra snapping the necks of anyone he crosses in Sallin. Without the permission of the Alphas, mind you. He has been banished. Pay him no heed if you come across him. Unless he's trying to sneak back in."

The pup turned her head toward the sound of the latest howl of pain from across the border. The wind ruffled her fur as she closed her eyes, perking her ears as if wanting to hear more.

"Screams from Sallin are like music, though..." she mused as a peaceful smile graced her muzzle.

Her thoughts rolled back as she remembered the day he left Arnlan. The gray murderer had said Mortil loved her. How could it possibly be true? He hadn't even tried to control the demon for her. She wanted a piece of the fight too. He had expected her to accompany him, but not everyone could be a warrior prodigy like he was. She wouldn't be able to get one good bite in at her age. She was strong and powerful, but without the size of an adult, she could easily be pushed aside in a real battle.

Without realizing it, her expression had grown cold and heartless once again. Her brow furrowed as she opened her eyes, her crimson fire burning with anger as she turned to Otame.

"He could have waited until we got a real army ready. I could be fighting with him if he wasn't so spiteful and arrogant. He'll get himself killed, he will."

[Electus]

"Tch!" she spat, giving off a high-pitched growl, "That's Mortilitas Umbra snapping the necks of anyone he crosses in Sallin. Without the permission of the Alphas, mind you. He has been banished. Pay him no heed if you come across him. Unless he's trying to sneak back in."

Otame could feel her hate. He perturbed him. To his knowledge, no pack member would leave without a good reason. And besides, to leave meant death. What would be so important to One-Eye that he would risk that? He looked at Zuka.

"To my knowledge, one rarely leaves anything, especially a pack, without good reason. Is there no such thing for One-Eye?"

"He could have waited until we got a real army ready. I could be fighting with him if he wasn't so spiteful and arrogant. He'll get himself killed, he will."

Otame looked reproachfully at Zuka. "Anger doesn't suit you, my dear. And such hatred is very unbecoming. Now come, and tell me of One-Eye, so I may ascertain him. Leave nothing that you know out. But I must, I'm afraid, beg you to leave your bias at the door."

[nightblood]

"To my knowledge, one rarely leaves anything, especially a pack, without good reason. Is there no such thing for One-Eye?"

"His only reason is to have all the glory for taking revenge for Mother's murder for himself," she snarled in her mind.

"Anger doesn't suit you, my dear. And such hatred is very unbecoming. Now come, and tell me of One-Eye, so I may ascertain him. Leave nothing that you know out. But I must, I'm afraid, beg you to leave your bias at the door."

For a moment, the female glared at him, the fire in her eyes unquenched by his words. However, now that she knew he was part of the pack, she couldn't deny him the information he asked for. He had every right to know the history of his new pack, even if it was the muddled version of a pup's.

"My father would know more about it, but those who know the real significance of their bond have long since been dead. My mother and Mortil adopted each other as siblings because they were so much alike... in their upbringing, at least. Both were banished from their birth packs. My mother, NightBlood, for a crime she was forced to do, and Mortil, for letting his Shade, Umbra, slaughter his whole pack. Their friendship, though rocky when Mortil first arrived here, grew as strong as siblings'. NightShade killed NightBlood on her patrol a few nights ago. She was still weak after giving birth to two consecutive litters in less than a year. That coward attacked my mother at her weakest point. Mortilitas Umbra is out for revenge. Plain and simple."

Like her mother, Zuka hated long-winded speeches, but seeing as there was no one else around to explain, she was required to take up the role, however bad she was at it. The yearling truly hoped Otame didn't have too many more questions. It was entirely possible that she could lose her patience.

[Electus]

"My father would know more about it, but those who know the real significance of their bond have long since been dead. My mother and Mortil adopted each other as siblings because they were so much alike... in their upbringing, at least. Both were banished from their birth packs. My mother, NightBlood, for a crime she was forced to do, and Mortil, for letting his Shade, Umbra, slaughter his whole pack. Their friendship, though rocky when Mortil first arrived here, grew as strong as siblings'. NightShade killed NightBlood on her patrol a few nights ago. She was still weak after giving birth to two consecutive litters in less than a year. That coward attacked my mother at her weakest point. Mortilitas Umbra is out for revenge. Plain and simple."

Otame looked long and hard at Zuka before directing his scrutiny towards the sky for a moment. "Hmm...I see."

He looked down again. "And so One-Eye has earned your hatred. I see. Then, my dear, you hate him because he wishes to avenge that which he loved most."

Otame circled, his tail swishing around for a moment before settling again. "Revenge and hate are hollow emotions, Zuka. Why hate someone who loved your mother so very much? Because you will not be able to kill Nightshade?"
The black and blue wolf looked at the pup, his eyes grave. "Staying angry at him won't help. I hope that deep down you know that."

The lithe wolf looked heavenwards again, a timeless look of wisdom on his face. "Perhaps it's time you learn that the world is not so easily melted into black and white."

[nightblood]

"Hmm...I see. And so One-Eye has earned your hatred. I see. Then, my dear, you hate him because he wishes to avenge that which he loved most. Revenge and hate are hollow emotions, Zuka. Why hate someone who loved your mother so very much? Because you will not be able to kill Nightshade? Staying angry at him won't help. I hope that deep down you know that."

Zuka closed her eyes and growled, slightly defeated. It took all of her self control not to bare her fangs at a pack member.

"I know..."

"Perhaps it's time you learn that the world is not so easily melted into black and white."

"But it isn't fair!" she shouted, unable to stop her emotions any longer, "She was my mother! I'm the one directly related! My brothers and sisters are the ones who should have revenge! If he kills every last Sallinian, what are we supposed to do?!"

She looked down at the ground, eyes welling with tears in her frustration. She couldn't stop him. She couldn't go after her. She was barely even considered a yearling. Her strength, though sufficient to maul nearly anyone on the opposing side, could not be completely effective because she was still smaller than everyone. They would be able to cut her down with their superior leg-length before she could harm them. The daughter of NightBlood was powerless until she was truly ready to fight.

"I hate this... I want to fight... but... I..." her voice faltered as if gave way to a furious growl. She flexed her claws, wounding the earth beneath her. It was to her great distaste that the soil underfoot began to smell like wolven blood... her mother's blood. NightShade had walked this way the same night she had killed NightBlood, perhaps skulking around for other Sentry.

[Electus]

"But it isn't fair!" she shouted, unable to stop her emotions any longer, "She was my mother! I'm the one directly related! My brothers and sisters are the ones who should have revenge! If he kills every last Sallinian, what are we supposed to do?!"

Otame furrowed his brow. "Did it ever occur to you, my dear, that he might be doing it for you? The horror that is war...few dare walk the path. It is not glorious, my dear. It is terrible, and it rends families apart. I think that he knows it."

The lithe wolf looked sympathetically at the pup. "I think that he must love you and your siblings very much to sacrifice everything to keep these things from you."

"I hate this... I want to fight... but... I..."

"Its war I'm afraid. You can feel it bubbling upon the horizon, preparation has taken more of a forefront than investigation. Something I do not agree with."

Otame remembered Pollux's words at his acceptance. His face was troubled. Young pups should not be eager for war, no matter what the case was.

"There are other things in life beyond fighting, Zuka." he said gently. "One-Eye...I'm sure he knew as well. When he looked at me...well..."

He glanced towards the border again. "He would risk his life to spare this pack from war."

[nightblood]

"Did it ever occur to you, my dear, that he might be doing it for you? The horror that is war...few dare walk the path. It is not glorious, my dear. It is terrible, and it rends families apart. I think that he knows it. I think that he must love you and your siblings very much to sacrifice everything to keep these things from you."

Zuka raised her eyes from the ground and stared at him. He spoke as if he knew Mortil. Then again, it was probably little more than educated guesswork. He was a bit older than her after all.

"There are other things in life beyond fighting, Zuka." he said gently. "One-Eye...I'm sure he knew as well. When he looked at me...well... He would risk his life to spare this pack from war."

"But... He..." she trailed off, losing her train of thought. There was so many things to say and it was hard to put most of her thoughts in once sentence. "This pack has been expecting this fight for years now! The whole reason my litter was born was so we'd be the strongest warriors Arnlan has ever seen! What are we supposed to do if he takes that purpose from us?"

[Electus]

"This pack has been expecting this fight for years now! The whole reason my litter was born was so we'd be the strongest warriors Arnlan has ever seen! What are we supposed to do if he takes that purpose from us?"

"Live?" Otame suggested, as if the answer were obvious. "Live a life filled with happiness, not marred by the ugliness of war and death? Being a warrior is a heavy burden, Zuka. That is often masked in the shine and polish of glory and idiot heroism. We tell the tales of victory, but we hardly ever relish the bittersweet tang of defeat."

He tilted his head slightly before continuing. "But still, I think you needn't fear not being able to fight. As you said, One-Eye cannot fight all by himself. I suspect Nightshade is not his target. Listen."

Another unearthly scream rent the air. "Those screams are close to the border. He must be harrying them near it. He's not going further in. That would be suicide."

Otame righted his head, eyes grave. "I believe he means to return soon. Tell me honestly Zuka...would you be so hateful if he did?"