Who would of thought? In a place like this?{Vicki}

[lidarose]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Vicki2.jpg] Vicki smiled. "I just explained, didn't I?" she asked with a laugh. "Before I heal you, you're hurt, and I don't want you to be." She smiled sweetly. "So, I heal you in an attempt to repay you, but also because I don't like seeing you...well, injured." She was blushing now. "And if you got sick...I would heal that, too." She truly hated to see anyone hurt or sick, but Zephard especially. She watched him stare at the woods, and looked, too. Big mistake. As if knowing she was looking, the whispers picked up in volume and spoke more frantically. "You have to come back here. You have to go in. It's the only way to free all of them, and you want to do that, don't you?" Images of countless wolves who walked into the woods flashed in her mind and she averted her eyes. God, these woods gave her a headache even at a distance. Vicki shrugged at Zephard's words. "I wouldn't know...but the ones who hurt you, were they the ones chasing you?" she wondered, pondering. "There are probably ways to resist these woods that nobody knows of."

[Rivaxorus]

I blinked and raised an eyebrow at her, turning over on my side with a flick of my tail. Maybe she was right, who knows what secrets this world held, like the fact of Minlo controlling the ghost wolves. I could hear the whispers as well, but they had narry an effect on me as I looked over at them. Some say that near this place, was a wasteland where it caused illusions and some wolves would even go insane. I looked back over at Vicki and got up pressing my head against hers. "Tell me something, you keep telling me you don't want to see me hurt, but what's the real reason? Don't lie, it's easy to tell when your not telling the truth deary." I asked her, keeping my voice at a low tone, making sure not to frighten her. I don't know why I would think that, but that was the least of my problems at the moment.

You're pathetic and weak. Don't you see she's only trying to trick you? She trying to get you close, so at the final moment she can get you to let your guard down all the way and kill you. Just like all the other wolves. Come on, stop fighting, remember that I am your only friend, I and all the others who have the ghost element running through their veins. This wasn't the voice of the woods. It didn't sound like Minlo either, even if I did not know what he sounded like, this was different. I ignored it completely though, it's echo faded. Obviously there was more behind this Minlo's control then we could possibly know.

[lidarose]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Vicki2.jpg] "I'm not lying when I say that," Vicki answered honestly. "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you." She turned so she was looking him in the eye now. She looked on the verge of tears again, only this time, it was fear. The woods were showing her things relentlessly...These are the wolves you could save. This is what would happen if you don't come in here right now. The image of Zephard's corpse flash in her mind, and just as she saw it, the image faded away. "I like you too much to allow you to hurt." She looked back to the woods. Would Zephard really die if she didn't go in there? Of course not. It's just a trick, she reminded herself sharply. The woods would stoop to any low to get her to go in there. She looked Zephard in the eye, and noticed a strange look come across his face. It was only for an instant, as if he had something he was trying to ignore, too, but it was long enough for her to worry. She inched closer. "Are you sure you're okay?"

[Rivaxorus]

I looked at her, she was still not telling me all of the reason. Sure she was getting there, along with I couldn't really decide to say it either. My eyes glazed over for a second in thought, then broke when she asked if I was really alright. I blinked and raised my head, "Huh, yeah I'm fine, it's nothing, just got a lot on my mind that's all" I snickered getting up and looking at the woods. The voices coaxing Vicki weren't true. The spirits there were stupid enough to think I couldn't hear them as well. "Vicki, the only way I'm going to die....now, is if you kill me yourself." I stated. If that was the way I was going to go, why not by someone who I considered more then a friend. My tail twitched, we both had whispering voices at us at the moment, except mine stayed in my head while her's were out in the open.

Then let her kill you, you'll never be able to become stronger because of the way you are. That's why Rin died, and all of your friends, slaughtered the packs that were forever chasing you and even now, there are wolves that you don't even know after you. I looked at the ground during this set of words. I wouldn't be moved by such talk, bu it bothered me, I wanted to find the source of the voice. Yet, I knew if I did that, I would end up at the black mist for sure. That had to be the source of it.

[lidarose]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Vicki2.jpg] Vicki laughed. "You know you can talk to me, right, Zephard? About what's on your mind? I mean, you can trust me. You know that, don't you?" she asked. And then he said the only way he'd die then would be if she killed him herself, and suddenly, she thought maybe it wasn't such a good idea to ask. At first, she thought he might have only been stating a fact, but then his tail twitched. Was he...expecting her to betray him and try to kill him now? The woods might make her a little crazy with all their whispering and images, but there was no way she would ever think of hurting him. "Allow me to state this and put your mind at ease," she continued. "Never will I try to kill you. Not even if I was constantly pressured into doing so. I couldn't do that to you." Her voice lowered to a very soft whisper. "Even if I was told it was either you or me. If I didn't kill you, I'd die, and if I did, I'd live...I'd still choose not to kill you." It was the truth, and she tensed slightly, wondering how Zephard would react to what she said. I probably shouldn't have said that aloud...Welp, too late now.

[Rivaxorus]

This place it reminded me too much of them, it brought back memories I didn't want to see. Body parts all over the place, it was in fact Gabe who killed everyone in my group last time. We were just a bunch of bandits with mixed elements. Yet, why had I been the one to live, to keep on living, it was like there was a power inside of me, which I didn't even understand. I listened to Vicki, turned my head and looked at her dipping my purple eyes to look at the ground then back up at her. "If you were to die? I wouldn't live at all, it would be like an empty shell made up of nothing. I'm not saying you'll kill me or betray me, I'm Asking you, as a request from when I do die. Whether it be facing an enemy or me going insane by whatever this thing is going on with the ghost wolves. That you kill me, it's not something that I'm saying will happen it's something I want to happen. If I want to be finished off it would be by you." I stated getting closer. Looking straight at her silver eyes, what was it that bothered me? The fact I couldn't say the two little words? Or rather three? 'I love you?' wouldn't that be enough to put my mind at ease ever?

I thought of this as I looked at her flicking my tail. Shadows were engulfing me, and I could feel it. Yet they were invisible to the eye, I would always block them out but they would come back, I would drive them away always and forever. I wasn't one to look for revenge, that was why I had no urge to kill gabe or any other of his pack.

[lidarose]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Vicki2.jpg] Vicki, who had been so good at articulating at least some of her thoughts until then, listened to Zephard and shuddered. How could he ask her to do something like that? She opened her mouth and closed it, trying to come up with the appropriate response. What was the response he was looking for, anyway? "Oh, yeah. Sure. I'll kill you. No worries, mate."? "I can't promise that I'd do such a thing," Vicki said, her voice shaking. "I have never, ever killed another wolf in my entire life. Not even one...that deserved it." She averted her eyes, then looked back into Zephard's. This was no time to be ashamed of herself. She had to let him know what he was thinking, as fully as possible. "Not to mention...killing you would be like killing the most important thing in my life." Probably because he IS the most important thing in your life right now, even though he probably shouldn't be. "I'm not saying I won't bear this request in mind if something does cause you to be insane, or if you're against an extremely powerful foe, but I will always, always look for a way to save you without killing you. And, you know what? I happen to think I will find one." She blinked, then looked at Zephard with her eyes showing a smile. "Just don't ever give up."

[Rivaxorus]

I didn't know what else to say after she said that. All I could do was give off a simple, 'hmph' and close my resting my head on the top of hers. "What am I ever going to do with you." I muttered, not caring whether she heard or not. I backed up and flipped my tail around. Why would I ever give up, the least there was was I could find the bottom of this considering I was only part ghost wolf. By the looks of Vicki though, she wouldn't be ready for anything any time soon, it looked as if her wounds still hadn't stopped bleeding. I approached her and nuzzled her side where the large gash was. It was still warm as well, definitely was not good for her. I grumbled and turned around, grabbing a few abarai mushrooms growing near a tree. Pressing them on her wound. These mushrooms pretty much grew anywhere and it made sure that wounds would not get infected.

"Who would have thought I'd fall in love with someone like you." I whispered, hopefully it wasn't loud enough for her to hear. The last thing I needed was to freak out because she heard me. I was never good at any of the romance things.

[lidarose]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Vicki2.jpg] Vicki wasn't sure what to say to Zephard's muttering, but it made her smile a little. He had to ask that quite often, didn't he? It was almost enough to make her chuckle. He never had to do anything with her or for her, but it seemed he has done both the two times she's seen him. He keeps saving her. And the sad thing? She wasn't so sure she hated it anymore. It was a love-hate relationship when it came to that, really. On the one hand, yay, he wanted to protect her and she was important to him, blah, blah, blah, but on the other hand, she hated feeling helpless, and that's kinda how Zephard's saving her made her feel. Not that she wanted to die or anything, and she liked how gentle Zephard was about it, but still. It was these thoughts that occupied her mind when Zephard nuzzled the gash, causing it to sting. She couldn't stop the whimper that came to her throat, but it was a very soft one. Maybe if she acted reeaally casual, he wouldn't notice. Then, she felt the mushrooms on her gash, pressed onto it. That also stung, but she merely winced. This was so she wouldn't get her wound infected. "I...forgot about healing myself," she stated with a nervous laugh. Duh. He can kinda tell that. That's when she heard him whisper, but couldn't make out what he was saying. Admittedly, at first, she thought his voice was another whisper from the woods so she looked to make sure he was really whispering. All she caught at that point, with her reading his lips were the words, "someone like you." "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that," she said. "What were you saying?"

[Rivaxorus]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Zephard2-1.jpg] After I finished with the mushrooms, I didn't reply to what she had said. It was only get me in deeper trouble, I looked away at the woods again, what was it that drew me there? Something was bothering me now, a shape, of a wolf, it was the same color as me, but instead the eyes were pure red. It's wavy form told me it was in my head not outside, which mean Vicki wouldn't have been able to see it. Yet, the smile it gave off, was evil. It tugged at me, what the hell was that thing? I took a step forward, so did it, when I moved it moved. Then suddenly it spoke, and appeared next to Vicki. What's wrong? Can't handle the real monster inside of you? Or really is it that your weak, and don't understand this. Oh, you are the very first to be smart, the very first to question what this control means. This is why you won't be controlled, really? Or do you not know, that you are as dangerous as any other wolf could be? It said, it's voice, sounded like there was more then one. When I turned to watch it, it stepped forward coming close to me, it whispered something in my ear. I couldn't hear it, it was all fuzzed out. I blinked, as it vanished, fading away into thin white smoke unlike my black one. Although, I didn't know it was coming, I looked at Vicki and collapsed on the ground.

[lidarose]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Vicki2.jpg] Zephard's not saying anything just made Vicki nervous. Had he insulted her just then? Did she not please him? She felt a knot forming in her stomach. She really wanted to impress him. More so than she ever wanted to impress Gabryl. ...Gabe. She should go back before it got too much longer, so she could make the journey back to Waru Caverns before the sun rose and someone would see her. Just as she opened her mouth to say that to Zephard, though, she noticed he was looking a little strange, moving and staring at something. When she looked where he was, though, she saw nothing there. And then he looked at her. No, not at her. At something next to her. She looked, but, again, saw nothing. "Zephard?" she asked. "Are you okay?" And apparently, that was the wrong thing to ask, because Zephard suddenly collapsed. Oh, God. Zephard! She ran to him without thinking, bending over and touching the male. She concentrated and tried to use Esuna, but it didn't work. This was not something she could heal. Tears formed in her eyes. "Zephard! Wake up! Please, Zephard..." She nudged him gently with her paw. "N-no time for sleep, now. We gotta get somewhere safer." Like where? Gods, please let him be okay...

[Rivaxorus]

I was in a strange place, again. The ground was covered in snow and mountains surrounded me. This was like the dream I had every night, but it felt and seemed different then it was before. I pulled myself up off the ground, looking around at it. I didn't seem to be in a place where there was anyone else. When I started walking along until I got to a large mountain. Then a blur of white fur and a tail dissappeared around the corner of a slope. I blinked and followed, wondering where the wolf went. I heard a pup giggle then saw a small white wolf at the top of the ridge. "Hey where is this place?" I yelled but the wolf only giggled again and vanished in the next corner as the bridge led further up. I looked around and with caution started up the bridge until I got to the peak which was shrouded by mist.

I stopped, o couldn't see a foot in front of me. When a pure white hawk attacked my head lightly then shifted for me to follow it ahead. I followed and spotted the small wolf pup agaion. The hawk blended in into her fur as she turned and smiled at me. Giggling again she ran off once more. "Hey wait" I yelled and ran after her. Then suddenyl skidded to a stop when I noticed it was the edge of the mountain. She laughed I turned my head and saw her behind me. "Hey you. How'd you do that" I asked she only smiled at me. I was totally confused on what was going on.

[lidarose]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Vicki2.jpg] Vicki whimpered with concern. Zephard had not responded. Ordinarily, she'd just leave him sleep, but his falling asleep was way too sudden for her tastes. She needed to get back to her den, but she couldn't leave Zephard alone here, with no form of defense. She had to make sure he'd be okay. Sighing, she tried to grab his unconscious body by the hide and drag it somewhere safer. Where do I take him? she wondered. My den would be suicide for the both of us...unless I could sneak him in, somehow. Hopefully, he'll awaken before I have to go to such an extreme measure... She plotted in her head exactly what to do, putting his body down by a stream. She checked Zephard's pulse, licked his forehead, and splashed him with a little water, hoping that either of those actions would awaken him. She had to make sure he was staying alive, hence, checking his pulse. As she did all this, she allowed her mind to wander, back to her parents. Her dad had tried to cure the dead. Is that what she would be doing if Zephard were to die right here? Without a doubt, I would bring him back, whatever it took...wait, what am I thinking? He's not dead. He's asleep. It'll all be FINE!!! If he didn't wake up soon, though, she'd have to go with the plan to sneak him into Waru Caverns, and if anyone found out, she would be banished, most likely, but he mattered to her enough that she would take that risk any day.

[Rivaxorus]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Zephard2-1.jpg] The white pup moved closer, and I moved back. It giggled then vanished into icy wind pushing into my face. I lost my grip on the edge of the mountain and fell. Feeling the wind against my fur all I could do was curse under my breath. When I hit the bottom a coursing pain shivered through my body and I jerked my head up almost screaming and ended up toppling over onto Vicki. I blinked and looked at her, this was the worst position for me to be in, she would probably get made at me for tumbling on top of her on accident. I scurried off of her blush all over my face. "Oh, um sorry?" I said, not knowing what else to say. first I had fainted on her then awoken with pain all around my body only to pounce on her randomly. Although the pain was fading, because after all, it wasn't real, it was nothing more then a dream, yet it felt so real and it was different from before. I was starting to wonder who was that pup? Why a pure white pelt and those one red and one green eye? It was one of strangest experiences I had ever gone through.

[lidarose]

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[atrb=background,http://i559.photobucket.com/albums/ss40/Milkyface4455/Vicki2.jpg] Vicki yelped in surprise as Zephard toppled onto her. She looked up at him, her breathing starting to slow. What on earth was going on? He scurried off her and blushed, which made her smile slightly. He was cute when he blushed. He apologized, and that was when Vicki noticed she hadn't moved right away when he did. She couldn't help but blush from embarrassment herself as she rolled over and got up. "It's fine, Zephard. I'd rather you randomly jerk up from what looked like a deep sleep and tumble into me than feel like you might die any minute," she said with a laugh. She meant it as a joke, but it was true. "Are you okay? Is there anything I can do to help you?" She walked over to Zephard, concern all over her face. "I didn't know how to heal you...I was useless." She looked down, a little ashamed, then looked back at him and smiled. "But you're okay now, right?" She wagged her tail, hoping his answer would be "yes". She was willing to do whatever it took to help him, and, in light of what just happened, he couldn't deny that he needed it.