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[Wahya Ayawisgi]

Wahya follows Dawn's lead.

Giga turns and looks back to Katashi and Kazumi with a wicked grin, Don't worry.... I will be back....[/b] Giga then follows Wahya.

Wahya comes to reality with a shake of his head. Man that was some crazy stuff.... Wahya looks over to Hitoban and notices she was alright. He sighs with relief.

You do know that when I have the time, I will dig into your friends head and use their weakness when you least notice...[/b]

Shut the hell up Giga, its bad enough I have had to live with you my whole life, and now I have to hear you!

Giga just chuckles, I know....isnt it great!

Wahya just grunts under his breath.

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki's seal returned to normal, and Kage literally stepped out of him. He let out a sigh and slumped down into the snow, panting heavily, "Hitoban..."

Mar watched Dawn reappear, "That was some trick, young lady..." He eyed her suspiciously, "what's your deal?" He saw Kage emerge and trot back, so he merely whispered, "I'll talk to you later." There was something... unsettling about the girls' special connection... what was it? It certainly wasn't like Tsuki and Kage, but it didn't smell of the Ancestor's magic, either.
Dante nodded, implicating there was no harm in it, though... he stared after Dawn for a bit. She seems to have talent... I wonder... Now his curiosity had been piqued.

Kage trotted back over to Dawn and brushed his face against her, "Everything's fine now... I think." He turned to Mar, "Thanks for staying here with her, dad."

[hitobannofokkusu]

*Dawn blushed and shook her head.* I don't know what you're talking about Mar.

*The moon on Dawn's forehead glowed slightly and it was hot to the touch. When Kage brushed against her, she lifted her head, making sure not to let him touch it. Hitoban gave Dawn a subtle warning look and Dawn nodded curtly.*

*Back under the shelter of the trees, Twilight's moon also glowed and was hot. He had seen everything Dawn had seen, though he himself did not enter Hitoban's mind. He was used to the sensation, but his forehead began to burn him, so he shook his head to cool it off.*

"You'd better be careful little sister...we don't want to burn up, now do we?"

Shut up Twilight, I had to do something. Don't tell anyone, remember our promise to each other? I might have to tell someone though.

"What, who?"

Never mind. You just pretend like nothing happened.

"Of course."

*Hitoban smiled at Tsuki and nuzzled him again, then got to he feet.*

"Well, I think it's time we got moving, yes? There's still much to see."

[Rynn]

Rin was asleep in the snow and didn't hear Hitoban so she continued to lay there blended into the snow.

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki got up shakily, then took a look around... "Rin? RIN!" He looked around frantically, "Hito, did Rin make it out of the forest with us?"

Thankfully, Dante had been keeping a keen eye on things. He dropped from Mar's back and walked over to Rin. "Get up, young one." He whispered as he nudged her gently. In his mind flashed an image, nearly identical to Rin, but in a feild of flowers. He saw a white female, laying down in the same way Rin was, and though he could no longer remember her name, his heart knew her, and he cried. He could not explain his tears, neither did they stop him like they had Hitoban, it was as if his heart was breaking and he was completely unaware of it.
This made Tsuki curious. He felt great sadness and regret, but once again, it was muted, and did not hurt him in the slightest, "Dante?"
Dante looked over at Tsuki, "Rin's right here." His face was not sad, but tears continued to stream down his cheeks.
"Are... you ok?" Tsuki tilted his head, unfamiliar with this expression.
"Huh?" Dante finally noticed he was crying, and imediately stopped, as if he just turned his tears off, "Yes, I'm quite alright..." He looked a bit uneasy, then looked to Mar, "Well, before we move out, I need to talk to your father for a moment."

They left back into the forest, and Dante performed another transmutation, this time on his chest, and the flower was a rose. They returned shortly, Dante once more riding aboard Mar.
Mar looked at Tsuki and smiled, "Ok, gang, let's get going."

[Rynn]

Rin felt Dante nudging her and lifted her head immeditally. "huh?" she looked around puzzled for a few seconds before realizing she had fallen asleep. Feeling foolish she stood up and shook snow out of her fur. Noticing that Dante had been crying she got curious but didn't ask. She waited for the others to start moving out.

[Tsukikage]

Dante stood near Rin, gazing at her out of the corner of his eye. Who does she remind me of? Has it really been so long? He felt uncomfortable about the whole thing... He tried to think back, but it was too far into the past... how long had he cheated death? He'd never counted before... the sudden appearance of this long-forgotten memory had gotten him thinking about it. He looked at Rin and saw the other female again. She was somehow very beautiful to him, and he felt very close to her. Tears ran down his emotionless face again, this time, with the realization that this was his mate... er... at least one of them. He became very sad that he couldn't remember. It was nearly time, wasn't it? He had to finish his work quickly, or... leave it to someone else... but who? He was running out of time. Dante turned away from the group and leaned against a tree, weeping silently to himself. He wouldn't be able to finish everything he wanted to do for them, but he was determined to finish Mar's transmutations; better to go without a few parting gifts than to cut both their lives short.

[Rynn]

Rin noticed Dante lean up against the tree and walked over to him she opened her mouth to ask if he was okay, but upon seeing him crying she walked and layed her head on his back in comfort thinking that it would be better if she didn't talk, so she stood there with her head on his back offering silent companionship.

[Tsukikage]

Dante was shocked, "You... but I hardly know you..."
He was glad of the company, and had decided that it was time to tell the others. He smiled gently at Rin, "Do you know how long I've lived, child? No, of course you wouldn't... we've barely gotten to know each other, haven't we?" He looked of into the woods, tears still streaming down his face. "I have been alive for... maybe... four or five lifetimes. I've even had more than one mate, though not at the same time, I can assure you. Each time my mate died and I could do nothing to help her, I merely reshaped my appearance and disappeared. I doubt my children would even recognize me now, if they were still alive. I saw my first children grow up, have mates of their own, have pups. I even know the names of their great-grandchildren, at least to every first-born male. It's not natural, but I have outlived all the pups I've ever sired. You remind me of my first mate, though I can't remember her name... it was back when I truly felt love. Since then love's been... hollow to me..." He chuckled, "It's strange telling you all this, but I wanted to tell someone before I die... and I don't want anyone to stop me from using my last bit of time to finish my work on Mar's body. You are my only confidant in this, and I'd like it to stay that way, understand? I'm... dying, Rin..." He continued with his story chuckling lightly, "I wouldn't be too surprised if you were a descendant of mine... you look so much like her... but there's no way to know for sure, and it hardly matters anymore. Anyway, as for Mar, his body needs to be adjusted to the new size, or he will also die, so I'm going to use the last of my life to finish this task. I want you to give this to Tsukikage when I'm gone," He created another snow-gem pendant, like Wahya's, then fell to the ground, he gasped, "Will you do this for me, Rin?" He lay there, breathing heavily, his soul anchored to his body by the one final task he had to do, "Don't let anyone know yet, I will tell them when it is time, so don't give that to him yet, keep it safe."

[Rynn]

Rin looked to Dante with a shocked expression on her face. "Dante, I know we barely know each other but I still see you as a friend, and yes I will keep our conversation a secret, as well as keeping the pendant save. But where should I put it?" she asked keeping her voice low, "should I hide it or could I just wear it so I know it is safe?" She layed down close to Dante and wished she could ease his pain somehow, even though she knew she probably couldn't.

[Tsukikage]

Dante smiled, "I trust you will keep it safe, wherever you choose to hide it."

[Rynn]

Rin smiled back at Dante, "yes I will keep it safe, no matter what, I promise." She put the pendant around her neck and it was partially consealed under her fur and hard to notice anyway and continued to lay next to Dante.

[hitobannofokkusu]

*Hitoban looked around and noticed they had lost Rin and Dante. She shook it off and walked swiftly over to Dawn, speaking low and quickly.*

"Dawn were you inside my head again?"

Yes, Hitoban...I'm sorry.

"Don't be sorry...you very well might have saved me from insanity. But I felt someone else there...someone new. Actually...two people...one good and one incredibly evil. More evil than Katashi. Who was it Dawn? Who did you allow inside my head??"

Wahya and Giga somehow got inside. I am sorry My Lady...terribly sorry...

"Stop that formal nonsense Dawn. It's alright, I'm sure you didn't mean to. As a matter of fact, if I'm not mistaken, you got there after them. Did...did Twilight see?"

Yes, he did.

"Hmm...what did he say?"

Nothing related. He's sorry for you, and he wants you to know he will follow us to the clearing. He wants to know if he...if he can join the pack.

"What? He would have the audacity to ask me that??"

I'm sorry Hitoban. It was his one wish! He would even be happy as Omega!

*Hitoban growled softly and she knew Dawn was opening her mind so Twilight could hear all of this.*

He is following about a mile behind us. He will turn around and go home if that is your wish.

"No, that is not my wish! I don't wish to throw anyone out in the snow, you know that Dawn. He can join. He can be a hunter. Oh, and he'd better behave himself or I'll have to punish him."

He says it will be as if his love for you never was-like you're his friend and Alpha, nothing more.

"He is my brother too. He is connected to my heart, and there is no denying that he is my brother. He is just not my love."

He understands.

*Dawn sped up and walked along Kage. Hitoban also sped up and walked alongside Tsuki, but her mind was on Wahya and Giga.*

"How could he let that monster in my head?? Now he knows my weaknesses...What should I do...and how did he get hold of one of those things? I thought only a select few wolves were able to make them...I wonder who gave it to him..."

*She looked at Tsuki and spoke timidly.*

"Tsuki...I wanted to talk to you before I made a concrete decision...Twilight wants to join our pack. What do you say to making him a hunter? His skill is very great."

[Tsukikage]

Kage stared at Dawn in awe, inside... her head?!? "Dawn... I... I didn't know you could..." He bowed his head, "I'm sorry I set you aside like that... I didn't know what else to do..." You idiot! Of course she could've been more help than you!
You helped me, Kage Tsuki intruded. His face was very stern, thinking of Twilight joining the pack. "Isn't he an alpha?!? He's got a mate and a pup, right?" His voice became louder and louder until he was shouting, "He's gonna uproot his family and leave his pack stranded just so he can be closer to you? Is that it?!?" Tsuki! Kage stares at his brother. Oh damn... Tsuki stared at the ground, realizing how angry he suddenly was. He was breathing hard. He'd never felt this way before. He turned away from Hitoban, still breathing heavily, but much calmer, with his eye downcast, "I trust you, Hitoban... I don't trust him. Do whatever you want, just as long as he knows you're mine!" Tsuki was quite shocked at his own words... he'd never said or done anything like that before... this was even the first time he could remember getting angry. His seal was glowing a harsh, hot red, like fire in his chest. He wanted to apologize immediately, because it was completely out of character for him, but the flame in his chest would not allow it. What's wrong with me?!? Am I going mad?
Kage stared at him, You're protective of her, that's nothing to apologize for... you were harsh though, and the rest of us didn't need to know anything about it. You said earlier that your secret wouldn't make a mess... good job, Tsuki.
Shut up! Tsuki snapped, [/i]Hito is with me now, and I love her! And I'm not about to give that up! Twilight had his chance, and he blew it! That's not my fault and I'm not going to let him waltz in and take her from me![/i]
Neither is she. But getting mad isn't gonna make her love you more, ya know.
"Tch!" Tsuki sneered at Kage.

Mar had gone after Dante before now, so he had overheard nothing, but he was quite shocked by the scene he and Dante had returned to.

[hitobannofokkusu]

*Hitoban flinched at Tsuki's reaction, but recovered quickly. She looked at Dawn, who nodded back to her. Twilight was to be sent home. Hitoban stepped over to Tsuki and nuzzled him, speaking softly.*

"Tsuki...you don't have to worry. Twilight is like my brother, and nothing more. He will always have a piece of my heart, but you have most of it. Dawn has a piece, Mother, Twilight...Father used to have a piece, but not anymore. So you see...I love you Tsuki, and nothing is going to change that."

*Dawn continued to stand by Kage, but she wasn't paying attention to the outside world anymore. She saw her brother's face and spoke to him in her mind.*

You heard?

"Every word. i can't believe I would be that selfish! I completely forgot all about Sheeta...and Reyana. I'm a horrible father, a worse mate, and an even worse Alpha! I should just off myself now..."

Don't be like that Twilight. We still love you...she loves you too Twilight. She loves you like her brother. She never had siblings, but I know if she did she would love you just the same as them.

"That's just it...why couldn't she have loved me like she loves Tsuki?"

It just wasn't meant to be. You need to get over it now Twilight, before that boy comes after you. I know you don't see any point in living if you can't be with her, but think about Sheeta for a second. Put yourself in her shoes. You see how you're feeling now? This is how Sheeta feels about Hitoban. She's jealous and angry and she probably wants to come after you. But if I know her, which I don't but your mind tells me a lot about her, she won't abandon her son and her pack to chase after a lost dream like you are. It was never meant to be Twilight. Now go home before some angry mate or father or uncle...or someone kills you!

"I understand sister. Tell Hitoban I won't bother her anymore. Am I still free to talk to you?"

Whenever you feel like it Brother. I'll always be just a thought away.

*Twilight let a tear roll down his cheek and let out a howl before turning and running back towards Peace Valley.*

*Hitoban's ear twitched at the familiar sound of Twilight's howl and she looked at Dawn. Dawn nodded solemnly and turned away, a tear glistening in her eye. Hitoban let a tear loose herself and turned back to Tsuki, nuzzling him now more to comfort herself and her friend than to comfort him.*