The Summer Sun's Rays

[hitobannofokkusu]

The meadow was looking particularly lovely today. The sunshine was bright, filtering through the leaves, brightening Hitoban's red fur. Things had been better in the past lunar cycle, and she was glad for it. Who knows what would happen if something bad was to happen now. Things have finally settled down, much to everyone's relief. As her crimson eyes scanned the meadow again, Hitoban smiled to herself. Dawn must be in bliss today.

Dawn lay on her side in the bright sunshine, almost asleep under the warm sunny blanket. Her stomach, a bit bulged now, rose and fell evenly. She had no reason to worry at all. Hitoban was relaxing in the shade of the trees, watching over her. She still wasn't completely unawares like some of them were. She thought that the peace couldn't last. Dawn hoped it would. It wasn't as if she would be any help if trouble arose. Still, the lazy days were a little slow for her liking. She wasn't used to so much down time.

[Tsukikage]

"Well, how are you ladies doing today?" A rather cheerful Kage asked as he padded towards them. He was looking unusually well-groomed today -- for Kage. His fur was shining in the sun, like a wheat feild, and even his missing eye was nice and clean. The other eye surveyed the sky for a moment or two, then fixed its emerald gaze on Dawn.
"Lookie what I found~!" He giggled childishly, he set an unusual white flower next to her. "I don't know what you guys call it, but back when I was little, Mom called them 'roses'... I didn't even know they grew around here."

"Rather serendipitous, then, isn't it?" Neo chuckled as he caught up to them. Neo's white fur and red markings almost instantly upstaged Kage's own fur in brilliance, but not even two dazzling blue eyes could outshine the joy of life in Kage's single eye.
"Oh, Neo!" Kage grinned, "There you go with your big words again. How's about we just say it was lucky, eh?"
Neo nodded, grinning widely. "Fair enough. Although, I must inform you: that's not the only rose around here..." The white wolf started to bounce a little, and he got very excited, "C'mon! I'll show you!"
The beta was significantly surprised by the sudden invitation, but he just smiled and nodded, "Alright, little guy." He glanced to Hitoban, and then Dawn, "You two want to come along, or you wanna keep enjoying the sunshine here?"

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn's nose twitched and she sat up, her tail wagging involuntarily. She smiled at Kage as he dropped a white rose in front of her, and her ice blue eyes were almost white with joy. She'd always been around roses when she was growing up. Peace Valley was full of them-every color of the rainbow and ever shape and size. There were doubles and singles, and she would lay in them almost every day. She used to smell like roses every single day, but not anymore. Since she left the valley, she hasn't seen a single rose. This one made her ecstatic.

Hitoban stood and walked over to the two and sat beside Dawn. "I believe I speak for both of us when I say we are wonderful." She smiled and nudged Dawn playfully on her shoulder. Hitoban's gaze followed Dawn's, and she saw the white flower for the first time. She'd never seen anything like it before, but that wasn't improbable. She'd always lived in the wilds and cities and the like. She'd hardly ever seen any kind of flower, let alone one so pretty.

When Neo showed up and presented the idea that there were more of the roses and that they might go and find some, the girls eagerly accepted. Oh yes we would love to go! I haven't seen roses since my younger days in my parent's pack.

[Tsukikage]

Kage walked very close to Dawn as they followed Neo to his secret place. It felt a bit awkward at first, but then again, perhaps it was natural for him to do so. After all, he would be a father soon. He felt a bit anxious, though, thinking about it. How long do these things take? Would their pups be normal? What about his own condition, would that affect them? What would they name them? He pondered these things for a moment, and then remembered the rose he carried...
"So, you've seen roses before?" He smiled, "Tsuki always loved roses -- y'know, mom used to bring some home with her whenever she visited the humans. Her brothers are all hunting dogs, so she would..." He paused a moment, and his smile faded as he remembered what had happened over the past month. "She's probably got a new family by now... I hope she still has roses to bring to her pups..." He murmured. "But never mind that. I'll always remember her roses."

Kage's train of thought was interrupted as Dante -- er... as Neo came bouncing around them barking, "We're here! We're here!"
I guess it hasn't been that long since he was Dante... Kage thought. But I've never seen any Dante light up the way this little guy can. He must be really happy.
The group stepped into a strange stone arena -- which is to say, it seemed like a very large cave with the top bitten off by some storm or giant. All was covered in green, so that you could hardly tell it was stone, and dotted all along one wall were the white roses. A few bushes sported pink and red and yellow in sections of the arena, but Dante trotted directly to the wall of white. "I've been tending them for a while now. It's so much fun, and Mar and Shimo have helped alot, too, right fellas?"
Mar stepped over a collapsed wall, smiling broadly, "Whatever you say, Neo. Seriously, you did most of the work." He turned to the group, chuckled to himself at Dawn's expanding girth, and bowed, "How are we fairing today? No Tsuki? He'd love to see this... but anyway -- say hello, Shimo!"
Kage followed his father's gaze up the side of the tallest wall, and saw Shimo perched atop it. "H-hell...o..." He said.
The wolf's wings flared, catching the sunlight, and illuminating his entire body. Then he floated down to them. He stared at the bush of red roses as he spoke, "Do you like roses? I like roses very much."
Kage smiled, "They're lovely, Shimo, you've done fine work."
Shimo would have looked overjoyed, but for the vacancy in his eyes, "Lovely..." He repeated, as if to register it with himself... "Thank you! We all took very good care of these when we found them. I'm glad we can share them with all of you."

Over the past month, Shimo had adjusted to his new problems. This was obviously a good day for him. He was cognizant -- not a rarity, really, but he often had trouble getting his body to do what he wanted. More heartening, was his responsiveness -- some days, it felt like he couldn't hear you, others, like he couldn't understand you, and still there were days when he'd repeat everything you said three or four times before giving an actual response. Being able to put together sentences like this was a good sign. The poor guy almost never made eye contact anymore, except with Mar. Kage could see plainly that this was the best Shimo'd been since the incident...

Mar smiled, "Yes, the garden gives Shimo and I something to do to stay out of trouble, and the rewards... well, look around you, really. It seems to help him relax, and focus on things, though he does have his bad days -- like anybody would."

[Rynn]

Rin padded into the meadow and laid down in the sunlight, she looked thinner than usual but didn't act like anything was wrong, Kaze padded into the meadow behind her but laid in the shade, Kaze had this semi-distracted look on his face and was never too far away from Rin, like he thought Rin was going to dissapear or something at any second. Rin lifted her head, was she hearing things? No she wasn't she deffinitaly heard voices, she stood and followed the voices and within a few minutes found Hitoban and a few of the others standing in a stone area full of roses. "I thought I heard voices...guess I wasn't imagining things.." she sat and didn't come closer to the others.

[Tsukikage]

Seemingly without a thought, Shimo was at Rin's side, staring at her. Not through her, like he seemed to do with most people, but at her -- right in the eyes. His expression was blank, like a stone carving... unblinking... unyielding...
Mar had noticed observed this behavior only once before, when one of the rose bushes had died out. In this case, though...
"Well well," Mar chuckled, "Looks like the gang's all here. It is a nice day to spend among the roses, that's for sure." He tried to act nonchalantly as he walked over to Shimo and pulled him aside. "Ok, little buddy, let's remember personal space, m'kay?"
"Sorry about that," Mar said apologetically, "Y'know... his condition, and all..."
Shimo was staring off, almost appearing to be bored, save for the grin on his face. "Hey, big guy, you don't have to say it like that."
"Sorry," Mar nodded.
"Hey, no worries... I..." The words trailed off into nothingness...
"Oh, there he goes." Mar sighed, "We were doing so well today, too. Ah well... So how are you two doing today?"

[Rynn]

Rin looked slightly taken aback as Shimo padded over to her and then looked over at Mar as he approached, "yes, it is a good day, haven't seen roses for a few years.." Rin then blinked as Mar appologized, "It's alright...I understand...." and a distant look appeared in her eyes but was gone almost as soon as it had showed up. "And we are good, just out wandering around enjoying the day...right Kaze?" Kaze chuckled, "Yeah, just enjoying the day." "How are the rest of you today?" Rin asked.

[Tsukikage]

Mar grinned, "We're alright. Neo here is showing off our roses to Dawn and Little Miss Hitoban, and Kage -- hey, Kage!" He called.
Kage's ears flew up as he heard his name, "Yeah, Dad? What's up?"
"Where's your brother?"
Kage paused a moment and closed his eyes. He looked at his father and smiled as Tsuki came into the garden from behind. "Lunch." The brothers said in unison as Tsuki dropped three rabbits by Mar and padded to Hitoban.
"I didn't realize we'd have this many mouths to feed -- I only found enough for the two of us." Tsuki smiled apologetically.
Kage smiled, "No worries, I'll go find something... although... this isn't the best time for hunting..."
Mar nodded, "But you don't have a scent, so you could probably find anything, now couldn't you?"
Kage smiled devilishly, "They won't see me coming." He nuzzled Dawn and said, "I'll be back soon." Before trotting off.
Neo smiled and started off into the woods as well. "Y'know, I'm sure there are some fish around here I could catch, and we'll find more food with two of us on the hunt, anyway."

Tsuki nuzzled Hitoban, then turned to the group. The red markings around his eyes had become a part of his appearance, and didn't seem to bother the others anymore...
The sight of it all made him very happy, but somehow the roses made him sad at the same time. You would love this, Mom. He thought to himself. Shrugging off his distant look, he smiled warmly at last. "So, Dawn, how much longer do you think it'll be?"

[hitobannofokkusu]

Hitoban and Dawn smiled at Rin as she came into view, then Tsuki when he appeared. Hitoban didn't take much interest in the roses, but Dawn walked over to the pink ones admiringly. Pink roses were always popular with her, just as white was always popular with Twilight. She reveled in the scent of them, remembering all the times she marveled at the ones at home. She returned Kage's nuzzle as he left, releasing her gaze on the flowers for a moment. When she was addressed again, this time by Tsuki, she turned around with a smile.

Oh I suppose another month or so. I've never had any kind of experience like this before, but I would guess I'm about halfway along.

[ooc]Sorry for the crappy post-I'm real mad at someone right now and it's terrible for happy muse.[/ooc]

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki smiled, squeezing his eyes pleasantly. "Well, that's good to hear. I'm afraid Kage's going to work himself into a fit, but a month will give him time to settle things in his heart." Tsuki looked Dawn in the eyes, and for a moment, they turned green. "He really wants to do this right."
His eyes faded again, and he blinked a few times before turning his attention back to the group. It was not the first time this had happened, but it had been long enough that it caught him off-guard and had nearly winded him. Strong feelings, alright... wow...
He caught his breath, regained his composure, and turned to Hitoban. I wonder if we're ready... He thought to himself... "You okay, Heets? You've been rather quiet." He nuzzled her a bit. "Anything the matter?"

[ooc: Aww, I'm sorry to hear that... yokunai desune...]

[Rynn]

Rin chuckled softly, "That's good to hear..." and she then fell silent and half-listened to the conversations going on around her but she didn't seem to be all there she had this kinda spaced out look on her face, though it could have been easily mistaken that she was looking at the roses. Kaze glanced at his sister for a few seconds but soon turned his attention back to the conversations. Rin suddenly blinked and turned her head as Fallen stepped into the clearing and sat next to Kaze, the two of them were twins, they matched in every was just about, except their eyes, Kazes' were emerald green, while his sisters were a dark sapphire. Rin chuckled, "I don't think any of you, other than Shimo, have met our sister yet, things were kinda....crazy around here when she showed up..." Fallen stepped forward and bowed her head to the others in the clearing. "My names Fallen, it's nice to meet you all."

[hitobannofokkusu]

Dawn smiled and chuckled. Of course he would, just because that's how they always were. She continued smiling when Tsuki's eyes turned green, and listened to Kage's words as if they'd been spoken by him. She nodded assent, and spoke in a cheery tone. I'm sure he does, as do I.

Hitoban's ear twitched at Tsuki's words, and she turned to look at him with an enigmatic smile. She was enjoying the secret place of course, but she felt troubled. It was as if something was watching them, and she felt uneasy under it's gaze. Though she looked around frequently, she couldn't spot anything unusual. Still, she stood close to Dawn. She didn't bother trying to hide her feelings from Tsuki because it was no use, so she told the truth.

"I love this place, and the roses are beautiful, but I feel strange. It feels like something menacing is present, and it's bristling my fur."

She did one more sweep of the area with cautious eyes, and was startled to see a black mass near Rin and Kaze. She stood ready to do something as she watched the wolf sit down next to Kaze. She figured it wasn't harmful since neither Kaze or Rin responded much. She listened to Rin's explanation that the wolf was her sister. The she-wolf stepped forward and bowed to them, and Hitoban dipped her head in return. She proclaimed that her name was Fallen, and the usual pleasantries for meeting someone new. Hitoban spoke, controlling her mild fear from the ever-present uneasiness, with an even tone that let the newcomer know that she was in charge.

"Welcome, Fallen. I am Hitoban no Fokkusu, and this is my family. Please make yourself comfortable."

[Rynn]

Fallen nodded back to Hitoban, "Thank you my Lady.." she said as she turned and sat back down next to Kaze. Kaze glanced at her before turning to glance at Rin who was back in the half-spaced mode she had been in before Fallen appeared Kaze sighed and exchanged a few silent words with Fallen before he too fell silent.

[Tsukikage]

Tsuki's eyes never strayed from Hitoban. For some reason, she felt scared -- no, not quite scared... but definitely uneasy. He stood close to her, nodding to the newcomer cordially. "I am Tsuki -- er... hmm..." I wonder if we should go back to our old names... Tsuki shook the thought from his mind and smiled warmly, "Right. I'm Tsuki, the alpha male in these parts. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."
His eyes quickly refixed themselves on Hitoban, searching for what could be wrong... Nothing... I... I can't put my finger on it... He thought. He decided it would be a better use of his talents to search for the "something menacing" she'd mentioned, and scanned the area all the way to the treeline...
He leaned in to whisper to her. "I don't feel anything out there... do you want me to scout around a little more?"

[hitobannofokkusu]

Hitoban didn't look away from the trees until Tsuki spoke to her. He didn't feel anything, so that meant that either there was nothing there, or it had no emotion. Whatever the case, she tried to shrug it off. She shook her head to his question with a small smile. "No, it's alright. I'm just being silly-there's nothing out there." As hard as she tried to believe it, she couldn't.

Dawn watched Hitoban carefully. She was acting strangely. She took a few steps away from her, and she followed, acting as if it wasn't on purpose. She was feeling protective, and she didn't want her to know why. Tsuki stood closer to Hitoban as well, and Dawn knew there was something wrong. She followed Hitoban's gaze to the trees, wondering what was putting her so ill at ease. She stood on her guard, just in case.

As Hitoban scanned the treeline again, she did a double take. Something gleamed in the bushes. As soon as her gaze rested on it, it vanished, rustling the leaves slightly. A rolling spasm went through her, and she was surprised to find herself fighting Katashi for control. Katashi had been quiet as of late, which was why Hitoban was surprised to find her fighting against her. She said nothing, only beastly roars of rage rang in her ears. She closed her eyes, shocking pain shooting through her body, and she quivered like an injured predator. The only sound she could make was the occasional squeak of pain.

Loud and cruel laughter boomed in her head, and she was sure only she could hear it. Something about the echo in it made her sure of that. She forced her eyes open through the shocks, and found that from one she could only see red and the other only yellow. The veils were thick, but there were big black holes in the middle, black abysses pulling her in. Yellow teeth grinned at her as they laughed, and she snarled like a caged monster, louder and fiercer than anything she'd ever produced before. Another shudder ran through her, and then everything stopped.

As suddenly as it had started, the pain ended. Katashi no longer fought her, and the cruel laughter no longer rang in her pounding head. She lay on the ground, panting, and almost unable to move. She looked again to the treeline, and this time she saw a face. A black faced-monster with one red eye and one yellow eye. The tips of its ears were red like blood and its teeth were sickeningly yellow. What was the most painful, however, was the resemblance to her father. The monster held the same eyes, the same features, even color. Everything was the same save the ear tips and teeth. Ryuu's teeth hadn't been as sickening, and he was all black.

She forced herself to her feet as the beast came forward. She snarled at it-as good a warning as he deserved. She was sure he was the one who had put him through such pain. She stood beside and slightly in front of Dawn, her stance wide and menacing. She glanced at Tsuki as if to pull him toward her. She wanted everyone in tight as quick as was possible. She didn't have time to articulate this, however, because the same laughter that had pounded the inside of her skull moments before rang in the area. It bounced off of the stone and people, and she couldn't help but cringe. The laughter had hurt her, and she didn't know what it would do to the others.

As the laughter died, a wicked smile came over the now totally exposed wolf. The tip of his tail was red, as was his back right paw. He was long and muscled, though still thin, like Hitoban's father had been. He could be his twin if not for the red. He spoke, and a wave of sorrow and pain covered her like salt water on open wounds. His voice echoed her memories-her father speaking to her about subjects she couldn't remember. All that remained was the tone, the sweet liquid velvet that washed all troubles and fears away.

"Well, well, well. Look at who I've finally found after all these years. Hello Hitoban no Fokkusu, my dear Big Sister."

Absolute surprise and shock jolted through her, and she found herself nearly collapsing with it. Her knees shook and her jaw almost dropped to the ground. She quickly regained her composure, however, and snapped back to attention. She positioned herself as before, protective and menacing, but she held her chin high instead of ducking it under to protect her throat. She looked fully like an Alphess ready to defend her pack.

"What could you possibly mean by "big sister?" I have no siblings. My mother is long dead."

He boomed with cruel laughter once more, and she barked threateningly. He stopped, a look of surprise crossing his features.

"What's the matter Sister? I can't laugh at a little joke? Of course your mother is dead, but mine is not. She lives on even now."

"Then how can you claim to be a sibling of mine?" She nearly growled the question. She was now not only furious, but curious as well. Was he insane, or did he really believe that he was his sister?

"Because, my darling, your father is mine."

She found herself roaring in outrage, quivering on the edge of attacking him. For some reason, however, she couldn't lunge, couldn't run to rip out the voice box that uttered such blasphemy. All she could do was snarl and growl at the malicious being before her. She screamed on the edge of hysterics.

"My Father was stolen by a murderous bitch, and there is no way he would commit this kind of treachery! Ryuu was an honorable Alpha and Father!"

The black wolf chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "Temper, Big Sister, temper. You do have a tendency to shout." He chuckled again before he continued. "I do not deny that he was an honorable Alpha and Father. He was. He was stolen by Missy, and she became Alphess. One year after your departure, Missy seduced him. He fell to her charm, and thus impregnated her. He continued being a loyal Alpha and mate to her all the way through the rest of his life. Missy gave birth to a litter of four, three of which died at her claws. One boy was left, the strongest of the litter. Mother was ruthless when it came to strength."

Hitoban was in shock. She couldn't speak, only stared at the likeness, putting it together with her father. Could it really be true that her father ended up loving the she-devil that killed Hitoban's mother? She couldn't bring herself to believe it. The black wolf that was her half-brother continued speaking.

"So I grew, and she trained me. She made me stronger than all the other pups in the pack, made me love her and her alone. Of course I cared for Father a bit, but not enough to spare his life. I wanted what he had, you see. I wanted to be the Alpha of the pack, and I didn't think he deserved it any longer. He was old and crippling, and i was young and fresh. So I killed him and took his position." A wicked grin spread across his face that was so like Ryuu's.

"You...vile...twisted...evil...bastard. You killed my father because you wanted his position?" She spat the word at him, pure, unyielding hatred coating her face.

"Yes, Big Sister, I killed our father."

"What is your name, that I may curse it as I kill you?" Hitoban lowered her body, preparing to lunge at the wicked being. She growled her question, snarling even after she'd finished uttering words.

"I am Ryuunosuke, named for Father. The forerunner, more noble and prosperous, to the older, deceased dragon. I have come on my mother's wishes-to kill you Big Sister."

[ooc]Sorry it's so excruciatingly long-it took a longer time than I thought it would to introduce him.[/ooc]