As the Water Crashes Down...

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki awaited the arrival of the new wolf. Whatever information he had to share, it would be better spoken of out of earshot for the time-being.

[Rynn]

Kaze padded into the cave and sat down, thinking about how he was going to pass on his sisters message. Finally he spoke, "I don't know if you recall for I was not here but I have heard that yesterday my sister was attacked, she has left to go find them and she has told me to tell you that she doesn't know if she'll be back and...." he paused, "Farewell..." he looked up at Tsuki to see what his reaction to this news was.

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki sighed, "We really should've waited for Hitoban to get here -- she'll want to hear this." He padded over to the edge of the cave and peered out onto the group below. "So, what's your name, Rin's bro? Surely there must be something else I can call you." He decided to make small-talk until Hitoban arrived, that way, the air wouldn't be so tense, and he could repeat his message for her.

[hitobannofokkusu]

Hitoban arrived, stepping into the cave from the ledge with the utmost grace and experience, and she came to stand beside Tsuki.

"So, what's all this about?"

[Rynn]

Kaze looked over to Tsuki, "Oh...must have forgotten my manners.." he bowed in a apolgy, "My names Kaze..." He then glanced over at Hitoban and nodded to her in greeting. "I have been asked by Rin to deliver a message to the group but I figured it would be best for the Alphas to know before a big majority of the group knew..." he paused for a few seconds before continueing. " Rin has left to go find the ones that attacked her yesterday.....and she has told me to tell you all that she doesn't know if she'll be back and....Farewell..." The more he repeated this the more he wanted to chase after his sister and stop her before it was too late but he knew that Rin didn't want anyone else involved...so he looked at his paws as he waited for Hitobans reaction.

[Bounder]

(Try this again, this time I'm gonna try to stay on top of things. This is where Hito told us to report to... so, here we go.)

The last thing he recalled was Hitoban telling them all to rest up. Oh, sweet relief, that's just what he'd been waiting to hear. He'd been up on his paws for what seemed like forever. Day after day, he'd been out on the trail. With little to no rest at all, it was no wonder that he ended up passing out. Because of that, he had missed a good deal of things, dozing away in the shade. He had missed the arrival of Rin, as well as that of her brother. It was not his intention, but he'd been so thoroughly trashed. He'd fallen into the deepest of sleeps. Wild horses couldn't have woken him, so deep was this sleep. Because of that, he was left far behind. He finally chose to awake with a start, only to find himself all alone in the forest. No Shimo, no Mar... nobody here. Nothing at all but the faint smell of blood. That was some cause for alarm, but whatever had happened was already over. Such a fool that he was; he might have been able to help them. Oh well...

He'd caught onto their scents, and set off at a trot, not wanting to lose them. They were... well, they weren't really his friends. Not yet, he supposed. They knew little to nothing about their bi-colored guest. And he was a tad reluctant to share with the others. Bit with time, who's to say? The young male arrived at the edge of the waterfall, looking this way and that. There were three wolves just up ahead. Two strangers, not good. Especially if they caught him snooping around. But there was one scent he remembered.

Hitoban. Surely she could put in a good word or two. Because let's face it, he had nowhere to go. He hoped he could join their pack. He was a pretty good hunter, and a decent fighter. He could pull his own weight, and then some. He emerged from the foliage, but stayed at a distance so as not to alarm the other two wolves.

"Alpha Hitoban," he said, dipping his head. "A pleasure to see you again."

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki turned to Bounder, "It's good to have you back with us, Bounder, but I'm afraid this is a private conversation. If you wouldn't mind terribly..." He motioned to the exit. He really hated to do this, but it was official business, after all.
[[ooc: Oh, and Rin, you may want to put Rin's story in a separate topic -- maybe in the meadow or forest or something -- so that people don't get involved in it here. This thread is just the cave behind the waterfall, not any surrounding area.]]

[Bounder]

He turned, having just been addressed. Ah, but of course. How terribly clumsy of him. He should have known better than to just blunder on into their territory. They were engaged in important business, and he'd interrupted them. He backpedaled, his head hanging low in submission.

"Thank you," he nodded. "Of course, I apologize."

He moved away from the others, pausing to look back now and again. Oh well, some other time then. Maybe after this little meeting was over...

[Tsukikage]

"You're free to join the others, if you wish..." Tsuki called. He sighed, turning back to the business at hand. "I'm afraid I'm not very good at this... Anyway, Heets, what are we going to do about Rin? Just let her go? I'd have to talk to Shimo -- with his echo eyes, he's probably got the most complete account of the previous fight -- either way, I'm fairly certain that she's gonna be in big trouble."

[Rynn]

ooc: alright XD wasn't thinking as I posted them sorry

Kaze shook his head, "I don't mean to interupt Tsuki....but Rin doesn't want any of you to go after her...she thinks this pack has seen enough trouble for awhile and has chosen to go this alone...whether it gets her killed or not...and if I may be blunt...one of the ones that are trying to kill her is our older brother....the other is the new alphas son....our father saw her as a weakness and a burden and turned the pack against her...even her own siblings.....I won't stop you if you go after her....cause I don't have the power to stop you, but that is my suggestion...and that's about all I have to say unless you have other questions...." He looked back down at the ground.

[Tsukikage]

"A weakness..." Tsuki repeated. Just like my dad... well, we turned him around, didn't we? "I know the feeling of having your entire family turned against you." He smiled to Hitoban. "But I had help, and if that's what Rin is going through, then it would be wrong of us not to render aid. However, it might also be wrong to disregard her wishes... We need to be in agreement on this before acting -- Heets, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

[hitobannofokkusu]

Hitoban had been deep in thought once the news was heard. An inner conflict was being held in the confines of her matrix-style mind. She hadn't even heard of Bounder's entrance. The argument went something like this:

Rin's...gone? Well damn, now I have to go and help her. Just when I thought we were going to get a break from all of this fighting...

Well you could always just let her die you know. She herself said Farewell and for you not to follow her. You wouldn't want to go against her wishes, now would you?

No, but...

You can't just let her die! She's a friend and friends help friends survive their troubles.

But she said...!

Yes, what she said. She said not to follow her, that this trip may take her life, and Farewell. Is that not a good enough excuse to stay behind? Send someone else after her if they have to, but you can stay here. I wouldn't lose a bit of sleep for that.

I would!

Me too! You're the Alphess. If anyone should be going it should be you. You don't want anyone else to die, do you?

You don't want to fight, do you?

Do you? Do you? Do you? Do you?

"Would you two shut up! Let me fricking think!"

Without thinking, Hitoban had accidentally spoken aloud. She blushed pink and nearly bit herself. Instead she took a breath, and made a decision.

"I think...I should follow her. But I should not make myself known unless absolutely necessary. If her life is in danger, I jump in and bring her home. If it's not, I let her fight it out."

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki nodded, "My thoughts, exactly. Though I would rather it be... no, you are the perfect wolf for the job. You know the area best, and you're far better at keeping out of sight than Kage or myself..." He walked over and nuzzled her, "Just promise that even if the worst should happen... promise you'll come back to me."

[hitobannofokkusu]

Hitoban smiled when he didn't argue with her and nuzzled him back. She listened to what he said and her voice became soft as she answered him.

"Don't worry...I will...promise."

Now she pulled away from him-though it was difficult-and looked from Tsuki to Rin's brother. She knew Tsuki would make a decision about whether he should stay here or not. She looked back at Tsuki and made herself look strong again.

"Don't you dare follow me."

She then turned and left through the waterfall's ledge, staying dry, and stopped dead when she saw Bounder sitting in the clearing. She stood in front of him and tilted her head.

"Well hello Bounder. What are you doing here?" Then she remembered that she had no time for idle chit chat and she revised her words. "I'm sorry Bounder but I can't talk to you right now. When Tsuki comes out or the other one leaves or something-Tsuki being the one with the moon on his chest-take it up with him. I'm dealing with important matters right now and I'm sure whatever you need to talk to me about can be said just as easily to him. Just tell him you're my friend and what your business is."

With that she turned and went off in the direction Rin had gone, following her dying trail.

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki stared after Hitoban, forcing his legs into the ground to keep from chasing after her. I trust you, Heets... but gawd, this is hard!
He turned to Kaze, "Well, I guess it's in her hands now. Feel free to stick around, if you wish, though I would appreciate it if you could give me some space, if there's nothing else..." He stared at the ground for a while, then turned back to Kaze, "I need some time to clear my head and prepare for the gathering this evening. The others will no doubt be curious about Rin and Hitoban... anyway, thank you for bringing this to our attention."

[ooc: Go ahead and lock this after Kaze leaves. Next time you see Tsuki, it'll be with the whole pack.]