Pour me another shot of whiskey. {Rose}

[Misery]

Serabi led the way into the forest. Her black fur had melted with the shadows of the foggy trails, and now she was just another moving shadow of the trees. Her ears flicked suspiciously. They weren't safe here, and she knew it. Anyone could be lurking here, and she wouldn't even know about it. She had to get them to Kiba before it was too late. They couldn't stay here. She was in heat as well, so that was just another way for someone to track her. Perhaps she was paranoid, but she was sure that someone was looking for them.

Kariah followed her mother into the forest. It really was a pretty place. Her bright fur hadn't stood out so much on the trails, but now that they were in the open she stood out. She loved her fur, and her mother always told her it was the prettiest pelt anyone had ever seen. Kariah took pride in that, and her fur was always well groomed. She trotted past her mother and ignored the warning growl she recieved. Her mother was always much too wary, she needed to lighten up. But, even though she wouldn't admit it, she could feel it too. Some instinct told her that there was trouble ahead. She didn't let this slow her down. She'd been here many times before, but she still loved to explore everywhere she went. She'd just become of age, and she was excited. She could have pups of her own now! She loved pups, for she really was still only a pup now. She smiled and chased a squirrel that happened to be gathering nuts. She raced after it, but it turned sharply and clawed its way up a tree. In an attempt to catch it, she tried to turn just as sharply and ended up skidding on the grass. Her white fur was stained light green and brown now, and she sat down to groom it again. Serabi watched her from a distance, laughing at her games. Kariah had always been good at making up games to keep herself from getting bored. She was, after all, the only pup Serabi had. And she would do anything to protect her daughter.

[Rose Petals]

Kahlia heard the telepathic message Kiba spoke to her, and jumped up from her place in Ticon Valley, running at full speed to Particle Forest, though it wasn't that far of a distance. She dared not call for Serabi and Kariah, for she knew their place would be revealed to Lokken's followers. Finally she saw Kariah's bright and beautiful fur, and she relayed the message Kiba had given her. "Serabi, Kariah's in trouble. Lokken has sent his two best followers after her. Kiba has sent me after you two, and you have to follow me back to her now, before they find you." Kahlia was frantic, for she had come to greatly admire these two wolves as friends. She ran to the end of a shorter path that led out of the Partcle Forest, and turned around to urge them on.

[Misery]

Serabi jumped, startled by the sudden appearance of the wolf they'd met by the river. She sighed, knowing that everything was fine, until the rogue spoke, urgently. Serabi growled and barked to Kariah, who immediately stopped her grooming and jumped to her feet. She and her dark mother started after Kahlia, Serabi more panicked than her daughter, who wasn't sure what was going on.

"Remember what I've taught you, Kariah. Don't forget--" Serabi was cut short as a ball of rage slammed into her shoulder, knocking her sideways and causing Kariah to jump back. The white wolf scrambled closer to Kahlia, hoping for some sort of protection. She wimpered quietly, trying desperately to remember how her mother had taught her to fight. She looked around frantically, knowing there had to be another wolf around.

Serabi snarled and snapped visciously, blindly tearing at anything she could find. "Hello, Serabi. Surprised you, didn't I? You didn't even see me coming." Serabi froze for a single moment, recognizing that cold voice. She yelped as teeth dug into her shoulder, but she found the breath to howl. "Kariah, run. As far as you can, run. Find--" She was cut short again by a yelp, and she had to close her mouth in order to fight her brother. She snapped her teeth at his neck, her mind completely on her brother and killing him now. He pulled back, just enough for her to push him away, knocking him to the ground. She jumped to her feet, but she had to take all of her weight off her right shoulder. She snarled at her brother and saw a flash of white fur. But Kariah wasn't running. Oh, curse her stubbornness.

Kariah leaped on her uncle, knowing exactly who he was. She tug her claws and teeth into his sandy fur, ripping and tearing, trying to get him away from her mother. She didn't understand she was putting herself right in his grasp, and she didn't know she was the one he was after.

[/color]

[Rose Petals]

Kahlia yelped with anticipation as she saw the male wolf attack Serabi. As soon as she did so, though, she realized her mistake, for she had given herself away. Attacked from behind, apparently by the other follower of Lokken, she quickly fought to the top again. She knew that Kariah was in trouble, but at least to her, Kariah did not seem to realize that she was the one they were after. She was too late. She did not think quickly enough to call on Kiba, but instead she ran to Serabi's aid, hoping to be able to rid themselves of these pestilences. "Run, Kariah, run!" Kahlia shouted with all her might and energy, hoping that maybe she would listen, for her sake.

Jose quickly scrambled to his feet after being momentarily knocked down. Looking around at his surroundings, he realized that he was enjoying this fight. Jose recognized, by the female's strength, that she was an alphess, and he knew she belonged to Kiba's pack. Though she was pretty, he had a wife, a child, and she was his enemy. He saw that the young felme nal was attacking her uncle, and that Kani himself was being jumped by three. He lurched at Kariah, hoping to bring her down off of Kani and take her by force back to the Lanion. He dug his claws into her side as he bit deeply into the side of her neck, trying to make her black out so he could easily drag her back to Lokken's dungeon.

[Misery]

Serabi growled at the sight of another wolf, but she had to kill Kani. It was the only way. If she killed Kani, they could chase off the other one, and then she would be rid of her brother forever. No more murders, no more kidnappings. And no more of her brother's genes. She leapt at him, ripping at his throat and pushing Kariah out of the way as Kahlia joined in. Kani fought like mad, but he couldn't take all three wolves at once. He might be able to handle two long enough for Jose to get Kariah away and into Lokken's lands, but there was no telling what would happen after that.

Kariah yelped, but her mother barely heard, as she was dragged away by someone stronger than herself. She struggled to get away, scratching and biting, fighting blindly like a trapped deer. Pain cut through her skin, though, as some dull objects dug into her ribs. Claws, and as she tried to get them away, the other wolf bit into her neck. She knew this particular bite wouldn't kill her, but in only a few moments she felt weak and couldn't fight back anymore. Her eyes closed and everything went black. The last thing she saw was her mother attacking her own brother. And it was all because of her. Her last thought, and then she entered the dark abyss of black-out.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/color]

[Rose Petals]

Kahlia swished her tail hard into Kani’s face, then whipped around again to nip at him. She went after his throat, but Serabi was in the way, so she quickly turned her head and got Kani’s ear. She was hurting now, mainly her front right leg, but she was trained to withstand the pains of battles; she was felme kola, and that was her job.

Jose smiled in satisfaction, for the young nal was momentarily unconscious. He grabbed hold of the back of her neck with his mouth, and, making sure he had a good grip, dragged her out of the Particle Forest, across the plains and back to his master. It would be a long journey taking her back alone, even though it was not really that far of a distance. Their mission, though, had almost come to an end, and it was a successful one. Lokken would be pleased.

Kahlia took a moment to catch her breath, though she knew this might cost her a good attack point, but she and Serabi had been fighting for some time now. Looking around, she saw no sign of the other male nor Kariah. “Serabi!” Kahlia screamed. An anger rose in her, and she was out to kill Kani now, for they had taken Kariah. She quickly summoned Kiba, for they needed her help. She knew they couldn’t do this on their own. ‘My great Fane Kiba, please, we need your help. Kariah is gone, and we are still fighting. Come quickly.’ Kahlia went back to helping Serabi, her adrenaline rushing full force now. She knew it was only a matter of time before Kiba spared this mae wolf’s life, but at least maybe they could do a little damage.

[Misery]

Serabi snarled and tore at Kani's fur, but he always managed to dodge and counter. She was getting frustrated, but she and Kahlia were slowly forcing him backward and out-powering him. Kahlia called her name, and she looked up. She searched frantically, trying to find her daughter. But she was gone, and so was the other wolf. Serabi howled her grief, but Kani bowled into her and knocked the air from her lungs. She snarled and went back to fighting.

The siblings tumbled in a furious ball of flying fur, barely allowing time for Kahlia to step in. They were each completely intent on killing the other, and nothing was going to get in their way if they could help it. Serabi ripped her brother's fur and left gashes in his hide, and he left much the same wounds on her body. But neither had succeeded in killing the other yet, and it was undetermined which one would be the first to go.

[Rose Petals]

Kiba heard Kahlia's message almost instantly, and she teleported herself to Particle Forest at the site of the battle. Kahlia stood away from the fight as soon as she saw her, for she said nothing at first. "Calm yourselves now," Kiba commanded. Standing quietly, she waited for the three wolves to listen to her before she said anything else.

[Misery]

Serabi snarled once before she heard a voice that she hadn't ever heard before. She looked up and jumped away from Kani, taking a chunk of his flesh with her. She stared at Kiba, unsure of what to say or do. It was amazing. Her pure white fur glistened in the sunlight, like Kariah's did. She dipped her head and thoroughly ignored her brother.

Kani stared at the Rogue leader, astonished that she would show her face. He didn't think kindly of the leader, but she definitely deserved respect, though maybe not as much as Lokken. He saw Serabi dip her head, but he didn't allow the same niceties. He stood there with an icy gaze on the white wolf, wishing she didn't have her powers so he could kill her there and then.

[Rose Petals]

Kiba kindly smiled at all three of them, though she was angered with the fight. "Stop this nonsense at once. No use for fighting. What's done is done, there is no way to undo it. But for now," Kiba paused her short lecture as she walked to each wolf, licking their wounds and instantly healing them with her powers. She even healed Kani's wounds. When she was done, she stepped back and looked at Kani. "Go home Kani. Tell my brother to keep his pack in his lands. Tell him that if he wants to force a wolf to be part of his pack, be Lanion enough to do it himself." Kiba never changed her tone-of-voice. She had a solemn and Fane-like tone throughout her whole speech, and though she was meaning it sarcastic the comment about Lokken, one couldn't tell it through her voice.

[Misery]

Serabi waited patiently as her wounds were healed, not completely understanding this strange power but accepting it nonetheless. She glanced at Kahlia, wondering how Kiba had found out about this, but she let it go.

Kani leaned away from the Fane, scowling as she healed his wounds. He would rather have had them as proof that he had fought instead of just standing there, but it didn't matter. He listened impatiently as she told him what to do. He doubted he'd say anything of the sort to Lokken, but he would go home. There was no pointi n being here any longer. Without another word, he turned and loped away, eager to catch up with Jose and talk about their victory. At the edge of the trees he stopped and caught his sister's eye, giving her a meaningfully hateful look, and then hurried away toward the Dungeon.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/color]

[Rose Petals]

Kiba nodded to Kahlia and Serabi, and she walked towards the edge of the forest. "Come if you may, Serabi. Your daughter is lost, now, and for that I am sorry. I cannot bring her back. But I can keep you safe, if you come to my lands. As I sent Kahlia to tell you, you do not have to join my pack if you do not wish, but you may stay until you feel safe to be on your own again, or you do not have to come at all. It is your decision, but make it wisely, and make it now. Kahlia will lead you to the Golden Meadow if you choose to come. I am sorry, but I cannot stay. I have an important task I need to take care of right away." With that, Kiba said not another word, and teleported herself to Orchard Falls.

[Misery]

Serabi nodded and listened patiently as her options were told to her. She blinked as Kiba disappeared. She shook her head and turned back to Kahlia. "I think I'll go with you. I believe an old friend of mine has found shelter in your lands. It's time I paid her a visit." She smiled and then proceeded to follow Kahlia out of the woods, brooding over the loss of her daughter but not daring to show weakness where there might still be spies.